31 March 2017 · Delegated
3 Garages, Millmount, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 1hf
This reserved matters application sought approval of the detailed design and layout for a detached dwelling on land adjacent to WDS Limited, New Castletown Road, Douglas. The site is an undeveloped, roughly rectangular parcel to the south of the Mylchreest Motors complex, with mature trees along its eastern and southern boundaries. The application followed an earlier outline planning permission (PA 15/01041A). The officer's report identified the main planning considerations as the potential impact on the mature trees bordering the site, effects on the amenity of neighbouring residents — including the semi-detached properties Primrose Cottage and Millmount Cottage to the northwest — and the living conditions of future occupants of the new dwelling. The application was permitted on 31 March 2017 under delegated authority, in line with the officer's recommendation.
The reserved matters application was permitted on 31 March 2017, decided by delegated authority. The officer recommended approval, and the portal records the outcome as permitted. Key planning considerations included the impact on mature trees along the site boundaries, effects on neighbouring residential amenity, and the living conditions of future occupants.
Development should make the best use of resources
Strategic Policy 1: Development should make the best use of resources by: (a) optimising the use of previously developed land, redundant buildings, unused and under -used land and buildings, and re - using scarce indigenous building materials; (b) ensuring efficient use of sites, taking into account the needs for access, landscaping, open space (1) and amenity standards; and (c) being located so as to utilise existing and planned infrastructure, facilities and services. 4.2.2 In pursuance of (c) abo ve, the Department will, when formulating its programme for the preparation of new Area Plans, have particular regard to: (a) the availability of mains drainage connected to IRIS or other mains systems; (b) securing the future viability of rural primary schools; (c) the public investment in the Island's highway, bus, railway and tramway networks; (d) the provision and availability of water; and (e) community facilities. 4.3 Environment 4.3.1
New development will be located primarily within our existing towns and villages
Douglas is designated as the main employment and service centre
Strategic Policy 2: New development will be located primarily within our existing towns and villages, or, where appropriate, in sustainable urban extensions(2) of these towns and villages. Development will be permitted in the countryside only in the exceptional circumstances identified in paragraph 6.3. (1) Open Space is defined in Appendix 1. (2) Sustainable Urban Extensions are defined in Appendix 1 4.3.2 Appendix 3 to the Plan identifies the towns and villages, and also explains why the Department has rejected the idea of a new settlement, which was mooted in the Consultation Draft published in May 2000. 4.3.3 Each of our towns and villages has an ind ividual character arising not only from its geographical position and existing fabric, but also from its historical, cultural, and social background. This character should be protected and enhanced. Accordingly:
Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning
The site lies within an area of Residential use on the Douglas Local Plan of 1998
General Policy 2: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; (j) can be provided with all necessary services; (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption. 6.3 Development outside of areas zoned for development
New housing will be located primarily within our existing towns and villages
The site lies within an area of Residential use on the Douglas Local Plan of 1998
Housing Policy 4: New housing will be located primarily within our existing towns and villages, or, where appropriate, in sustainable urban extensions (1) of these towns and villages where identified in adopted Area Plans: otherwise new housing will be permitted in the countryside only in the following exceptional circumstances: (a) essential housing for agricultural workers in accordance with Housing Policies 7, 8, 9 and 10; (b) conversion of redundant rural buildings in accordance with Housing Policy 11; and (c) the replacement of existing rural dwellings and abandoned dwellings in accordance with Housing Policies 12, 13 and 14. 8.5.6 The anticipated increase in the total number of dwellings on the Island over the Plan period is approximately 14%. By administering the programme of Area Plan preparation, the Department will ensure that there is sufficient land zoned for residential development to meet the overall housing requirement figure required by Housing Policy 1. The Department has resolved to prepare under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 four Area Plans which will concentrate upon larger areas of the Island. These will focus on the North, West, East and South of the Island and correspond with those areas discussed at paragraph 5.9 of the Spatial Strategy Chapter. 8.6 Affordable Housing 8.6.1 The Department is concerned about the increasing difficulties of securing the provision of affordable housing across the Island. The Department can, and does as a Housing Authority, intervene financially to provide financial support to local Authorities; financial support to prospective owner occupiers (through the House Purchase Assistance Scheme 2002) and by direct provision of new houses to rent. The provision of affordable housin g is a material consideration in the preparation of the development plan. In the current situation the Department considers that, to secure an adequate provision of affordable housing, it is appropriate to require that any area of land identified for hous ing purposes should include a contribution towards the provision of affordable housing. 8.6.2 There are currently around 1,584 (as at 31 st March 2007) households on the General Housing Waiting List. In addition, there are some 690 (as at 31 st March 2007) households registered with the Department under the House Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS). This indicates a total current need of some 2,274 households for affordable housing. (1) Sustainable Urban Extensions are defined in Appendix 1 8.6.3 In the current circumstances the Department considers that approximately 25 % of new housing provision should take the form of affordable housing. In assessing the appropriate percentage in each instance, the Department will have regard to the fact that the figure is a target over the Plan Period as a whole; to evidence of local housing need; to the nature of the land and viability of the scheme; and to the nature of existing adjacent housing. The 25% provision will be monitored and reviewed as part of any review of the Strategic Plan.
