24 January 2017 · Delegated
Jandakot, Old Castletown Road, Port Soderick, Isle Of Man, IM4 1bb
Permission was granted for alterations, an extension, a new driveway, and the relocation of the vehicular access at a residential property on Old Castletown Road, Port Soderick. The property is a modern bungalow set within its residential curtilage on the south-western side of an unadopted lane. It is largely screened from public view by roadside vegetation and other dwellings fronting the A25. The central planning consideration was whether the proposed works would increase the visible impact of the property when viewed from public areas. The application was permitted subject to two conditions.
The application was approved with two conditions. The key planning question was whether the works would increase the visible impact of the property when seen from public viewpoints. The dwelling is a modern bungalow largely screened from public view by roadside vegetation and neighbouring properties fronting the A25, so the proposed works were considered acceptable.
The extension of non-traditional dwellings or those of poor or inappropriate form will not generally be permitted where this would increase the impact of the building as viewed by the public
whether the proposed works accord with Housing Policy 16 - ie do they increase the impact of the property when viewed by the public
Housing Policy 16: The extension of non -traditional dwellings or those of poor or inappropriate form will not generally be permitted where this would increase the impact of the building as viewed by the public. 8.13 Conversion of Buildings to Flats 8.13.1 There are in the Island, and particularly in Douglas, many substantial buildings which, because of their size or form, are no longer suitable for the originally intended use as either single dwellings or holiday accommodation, but which are still structur ally sound. The Department has for many years encouraged the conversion of such buildings, where appropriate, into flats. 8.13.2 The size, layout, occupancy, etc., of flats are controlled by the Housing (Flats) Regulations 1982. However, all flats should also have a good external environment, characterised by - (a) a pleasant, clear outlook, particularly from the principal room(s) of the flat and (b) access to external space for the purpose of clothes-drying, refuse storage, car-parking, and general amenity. 8.13.3 Many buildings which are generally suitable for conversion into flats not only have very little space around them, but also have an annex or "outlet" at the rear. The Department may require the demolition, in total or in part, of such "outlets" even where the immediate use of the cleared space may not be possible, for example where more than one rear annex may be needed to be removed to gain access or highway work such as road widening may be required to make the cleared space useful. Such demolition will: (a) remove accommodation which has a poor environment and limited outlook; (b) permit the creation of parking space; and (c) assist in admitting light and air to the rear of the building proper. Where such demolition is not so required, the accommodation must generally be organised so that every flat has an outlook from the front of the building, and so that no flat is contained entirely within an "outlet". Exception may be made to this general approach where the environment at, and the outlook from, the rear are pleasant and open.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
Notwithstanding the proposed planting shown to block up the existing driveway and access, this need not be introduced if this would impede access or visibility relating to the neighbour's access.
