15 February 2017 · Delegated
Manesca Ltd, The Quay, Port St. Mary, Isle Of Man, IM9 5ea
This application related to a commercial building at Island Seafare on The Quay, Port St. Mary, used for storage and factory processes. The proposal involved partially demolishing a lean-to extension, raising and replacing its roof, and creating double doors in place of the existing single door access to the tank room. The existing building is two storeys with a pitched roof at 7.7m ridge height. A previous extension on the south-west gable end, approximately 14m by 5m, includes a storage area with a flat roof at 4.2m and a lower lean-to tank room section. The proposed works focused on this tank room portion.
The application was permitted on 15 February 2017 under delegated authority. The officer recommended approval, and the decision aligned with that recommendation. The key planning considerations were the effect on the character of the existing building, the impact on the surrounding area, and whether the works would preserve or enhance the Conservation Area.
The Area Plan for the South 2013
harbours in Port St Mary are in active use and that expansion and introduction of marine based industry may be permitted as long as it does not prejudice the use of the harbour areas for leisure or tourist purpose. It also states in Employment Proposal 4 that development should where possible "not adversely affect the amenity of neighbouring residents" and that "new industrial buildings must be designed and finished to a high standard so as to acknowledge the prominence and importance of the harbour-side location."
es on improving the quality of town centre retailing and leisure environment and that the majority of new comparison goods floorspace should be located primarily within Douglas. 6.25 Harbours 6.25.1 The harbours in Castletow n and Port St Mary are in active use and as such there is some harbour related use of the surrounding buildings. Within these areas some expansion of existing industry or the introduction of new marine based industry may be permitted as long as this does not prejudice the use of the harbour areas for leisure or tourist purposes. Employment Proposal 4: New industrial development within the harbour areas of Castletown and Port St Mary should be marine based, and of a scale which is appropriate for a relatively small port. Such development should where possible : be sited immediately adjacent to existing industrial uses ; not adversely affect the amenity of neighbouring residents; and not prejudice the use of the harbour area for leisure or tourist development by virtue of restricting access to existing or possible future leisure facilities. New industrial buildings must be designed and finished to a high standard so as to acknowledge the prominence and importance of the harbour-side location.
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."
lew LDHP LDHP e Arbory Location Former Designation Area Plan Designation Symbol on Proposals Map (3) and Inset Maps (4-7) Parville, Ballabeg (Registered Building 235), Arbory LDHP LDHP f Balladoole House and The Granary, Arbory LDHP LDHP g Rushen Location Former Designation Area Plan Designation Symbol on Proposals Map (3) and Inset Maps (4-7) Ballagawne (Greenacres), Ballagawne Road, Rushen LDHP LDHP h Kentraugh, Rushen LDHP LDHP i Proposed Low Density Housing in Parkland An area to the East and West of Phildraw Road, Malew, as shown on Inset Map 4 Appendix 4 (a): Groups of Houses in the Countryside Survey (2009) Assessments of individual groups: (a) Cregneash: (i) Description: Cregneash comprises a group of traditional buildings clustered around the church, and set on the saddle between Meayll Hill and Cronk ny Arrey. Some of the buildings are used as part of the Cregneash Folk Museum. (ii) Assessment: It is indicated at paragraph A.3.7 of Appendix 3 to the Isle of Man Strategic Plan that "Cregneash may also be judged to have the characteris tics of a village, but as the National Folk Museum it is subject to special consideration, seeking to preserve and protect the authenticity and integrity of the village and its setting." However, it would be more accurate to refer to Cregneash as "the set ting for the National Folk Museum" rather than "the National Folk Museum ". The introduction of additional dwellings, necessarily constructed some 100 years or more later than any existing dwelling in the village, would clearly be inimical to preserving th e authenticity and integrity of the present group and its value as the setting for the Folk Museum. Additional dwellings are not therefore proposed. (b) The Howe/Glen Chass: (i) Description: The Howe comprises a group of dwellings and farm buildings ar ound the chapel on the north side of the road to The Sound. Just to the east, scattered either side of the road down to Fistard are the dwellings comprising Glen Chass. These linked groups have a sense of identity, arising in part from the chapel and in part from the topographical setting. The groups are close to Port St Mary, but clearly within the countryside. Apart from the chapel, there are no public buildings. (ii) Assessment: These groups are not in themselves sustainable settlements, and are not far enough away from Port St Mary or Port Erin to generate a valid local need for housing. In the case of The Howe, further development would be likely to extend or consolidate the existing ribbon development along The Sound Road, whilst in the case of Glen Chass, the access road is narrow and difficult, especially for public service vehicles. In these circumstances, additional dwellings are not proposed for The Howe or Glen Chass. (c) Ballakilpheric/Cronk e Dhooney: (i) Description: Grouped quite comp actly to the west and east of the still -active chapel are two collections of dwellings and farm buildings, some of which are comparatively modern. The group is some 1.5 km from the Colby main road, up a winding and sometimes narrow road. The sense of place arises largely from the chapel at the crossroads, but there are no other public facilities or amenities. (ii) Assessment: Whilst a small number of additional dwellings could be added without visual detriment to either the group or its setting, the group is not sustainable, is served by a poor access road, and is not distant enough from Colby to generate a valid local need for housing. Additional dwellings are not therefore proposed. (d) Earystane: (i) Description: Earystane comprises a collection of dwellings scattered along the road between Ballamoar and Ballacannell. The distinctive, finely coursed stonework of some of the buildings, including the former chapel, lends a sense of unity to this interesting upland settlement. The group is some 2.5 km from the main Colby Road, is served by only a narrow road, and has no public facilities or amenities. (ii) Assessment: Further dwellings would clearly not be sustainable, and would reduce the interest and attraction of the existing group. Road access is poor. Additional dwellings are not therefore proposed. (e) St Marks: (i) Description: St Marks is a designated Conservation Area, which includes some of the surrounding countryside. The buildings include the church, a chapel, the former school rooms , and a number of dwellings clustered around the village green. The spaces between the buildings contribute positively to the character of the settlement, helping to integrate it with its immediate rural environment. The undeniable sense of place arises not only from the disposition of the buildings and spaces, but also from the location at the meeting of several rural roads. (ii) Assessment: The Character Appraisal statement for the Conservation Area indicates that "Whilst new development might not be ru led out, detailed and careful assessment of any proposed develo
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: - 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 watercourses; - e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality."
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