17 April 2012 · Delegated
Riverside Barn, King Edward Road, Onchan, Isle Of Man, IM4 6ab
This application sought permission to erect a garden room extension with a link at Riverside Barn, King Edward Road, Onchan. The property sits in a rural countryside setting within the Parish of Braddan. The application was refused on 17 April 2012. The decision-maker found that the proposed extension would harm the rural character and amenity of the countryside due to its scale and massing, making it contrary to the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007. The case officer had also recommended refusal on the same grounds, and the formal decision aligned with that recommendation.
The application was refused because the proposed garden room extension and link was considered too large in scale and massing for its countryside setting. Decision-makers found it would be detrimental to the rural character and amenity of the area around Riverside Barn.
Refusal Reasons
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
further extension of converted rural buildings will not usually be permitted
Housing Policy 11: Conversion of existing rural buildings into dwellings may be permitted, but only where: (a) redundancy for the original use can be established; (b) the building is substantially intact and structurally capable of renovation; (c) the building is of architectural, historic, or social interest; (d) the building is large enough to form a satisfactory dwelling, either as it stands or with modest, subordinate extension which does not affect adversely the character or interest of the building; (e) residential use would not be incompatible with adjoining established uses or, where appropriate, land-use zonings on the area plan; and (f) the building is or can be provided with satisfactory services without unreasonable public expenditure. Such conversion must: (a) where practicable and desirable, re -establish the original appearance of the building; and (b) use the same materials as those in the existing building. Permission will not be given for the rebuilding of ruins or the erection of replacement buildings of similar, or even identical, form. Further extension of converted rural buildings will not usually be permitted, since this would lead to loss or reduction of the original interest and character. 8.10.3 Permission will be given in certain circumstances for the re-establishment of residential use where there is an abandoned dwelling, since such dwellings can sometimes have a negative impact, usually arising from the sense of dereliction and dilapidation. See Housing Policy 13 below. 8.11 Replacement Dwellings in the Countryside 8.11.1 There are in our countryside many existing dwellings, some of which contribute positively to its appearance and character, and some of which do not. A number of dwellings have been abandoned for many years; their physical remains being a reflection of agricultural and social change across the Island. They form features in the rural landscape which are often not unacceptable in their present state. It is appropriate to encourage change which would result in overall environment improvement, and to discourage change which would not. Where the building(s) concerned are of architectural merit or of local, historical or social interest demolition and replacement will be discouraged.
