29 November 2017 · Committee
Silvercraigs, 27, Palace Terrace, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 4nf
The property at Silvercraigs, 27 Palace Terrace sits within a Conservation Area zoned for Tourism, Residential, and Office use on the Douglas Local Plan. The application covered several elements: retrospective replacement of rear windows, formation of a new rear window, installation of a kitchen extract flue, and replacement windows to the principal front elevation. The central planning issue was whether the works, particularly the front windows, would preserve or enhance the Conservation Area in line with Environment Policy 35 (EP35) of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan and Circular 1/98 on replacement windows. The officer concluded that the existing front windows were incorrect and incongruous, actively harming the building's principal elevation and its appearance in the Conservation Area. Replacing them was therefore judged to preserve rather than harm the Conservation Area's character. For the rear, the officer noted that the lane behind the building is rarely used and not a through-route, meaning the rear elevation contributes far less to the Conservation Area's character than the frontage.
The replacement front windows were approved because the existing windows were judged to be incongruous and damaging to the building's principal elevation; the proposed windows would preserve the Conservation Area's appearance in accordance with EP35. The rear works were considered acceptable given the lane's limited public use and the rear elevation's lesser contribution to the Conservation Area's character.
Environment Policy 35 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan
Environment Policy 35: Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development. 7.30 Development adjacent to Conservation Areas 7.30.1 It is often the case that important views into and out of a Conservation Area can contribute significantly to its character. It is necessary to assess the impact any development adjacent to conservation areas may have on such views.
