6 March 2023 · Delegated
The Old School House, Main Road, Sulby, Isle Of Man, IM7 2hp
This application sought Registered Building consent for works to the Old School House, a listed building (RB 171) on Main Road, Sulby. The proposed works included demolishing the existing rear conservatory, building two single-storey extensions to the rear, removing the first floor accommodation, and altering the ground floor layout. The application was submitted alongside an associated full planning application (22/01534/GB). The site sits within the curtilage of the Old School House, which is located to the south of Sulby Straight. The officer's report noted that the site already has three properties at various stages of development as a result of its planning history. The main planning consideration was the impact of the proposed works on the Conservation Area and the character of the Registered Building, as well as the visual amenity of the street scene.
The application was approved by delegated decision on 6 March 2023. The key planning consideration was whether the proposed works would harm the character of the Conservation Area or the Registered Building. The works were found to be acceptable in that regard. The formal decision record lists 2 conditions.
Environment Policy 32
proposal would comply with the i.e. Section 16 (3) of the Town and Country Planning Act (1999) Statutory test and the IOMSP EP32 and GP2
Environment Policy 32: Extensions or alterations to a Registered Building which would affect detrimentally its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest will not be permitted. 7.27 Change of Use of Registered Buildings 7.27.1The best use for a Registered Building is usually the use for which the building was designed. However, it is recognised that it is often necessary to look for a new use to secure the economic future of the b uilding. It is important therefore that any new use is appropriate and that physical alterations are sensitive to its character. (1) Curtilage is defined in Appendix 1
General Policy 2
proposal would comply with the i.e. Section 16 (3) of the Town and Country Planning Act (1999) Statutory test and the IOMSP EP32 and GP2
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
Strategic Policy 4
Impact upon the Conservation Area/Registered Building and the visual amenities of the street scenes (StP 4, GP 2, EP 4, 30, 32, 34 & 42 of the IOMSP)
Environment Policy 4
Impact upon the Conservation Area/Registered Building and the visual amenities of the street scenes (StP 4, GP 2, EP 4, 30, 32, 34 & 42 of the IOMSP)
uch as this, the breaks in the urban fabric and the features of nature which provide a sense of openness should be protected from development which would erode this (see Maps 3 and 10). Natural Environment Proposal 4 (Green Gap) Between the settlements of Glen Vine and Crosby, development which would erode the separation and detract from the openness between the settlements is unlikely to be supported. Douglas, Union Mills and Strang (see Maps 3, 4 and 8) Natural Environment Proposal 5 (Green Gap) Between the settlements of and Douglas, Union Mills and Strang, development which would erode the separation and detract from the openness between the settlements is unlikely to be supported. The Upland Environment The Manx Uplands are an iconic part of our landscape and heritage. Reference to the 'sweet mountain air' and 'green hills and rocks' are enshrined in our national anthem and the colours of the heather and gorse are woven into the very fabric of Manx tartan. The hills are a place of great beauty, yet for some they are also a place to work and for others a place to exercise or simply enjoy open space. Our Uplands are also home to plants and animals that whilst familiar to us, are rare and impor tant in a global and European context. Furthermore, the uplands are a rich repository of cultural and archaeological remains, which are sensitive to change and can easily be damaged by inappropriate development. Production of food is an important and obvi ous function of hill land. But surprisingly, the Manx hills provide everyday functions that most people take for granted. Peatlands, which cover most of our hills reduce the impacts of climate change by locking up carbon dioxide, collect and filter our drinking water and slow the passage of rainfall into streams and rivers, thus reducing downstream flood risk. These multiple uses are of great benefit to the economy of the Isle of Man and the well - being of its people. It is important that the hills continue to provide these benefits long into the future. Ensuring sustainable management of such a wide range of uses to the satisfaction of all interested parties whilst retaining functions essential to the well -being of the Isle of Man is of paramount importance. The Isle of Man Government is the owner and landlord for the majority of the Uplands in the East region and is therefore in a position to implement policy which will deliver the optimum range of ecosystem services. Appropriate and positive Upland management such as controlled rotational burning/cutting of heather and low intensity grazing helps to reduce the fuel load of the hill, provides firebreaks and reduces the risk of unplanned wildfires that further protects the biodiversity of the site, but also the vast amounts of carbon locked away in the peat soils. The majority of this work is carried out by The Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture's grazing and shooting tenants. The Manx Uplands are critically important from a habitat and biodiversity perspective. The hills in the East support a significant number of breeding hen harriers; however, other native Upland breeding birds such as curlew and red grouse have suffered severe declines in recent decades and as such are of high conservation concern. Strict control of access and recreational activity on vulnerable soils should be implemented to reduce soil erosion and subsequent carbon loss. Curlew and hen harriers are recognised as an internationally important species, while (within the EU) upland heather moorland is designated as a priority habitat. In order to ensure protection and positive management of the Uplands, the following proposal is appropriate: Environment Proposal 6 Uses of the Uplands that contribute to the management and preservation of this distinctive environment will be supported. Dark Skies On the Isle of Man, 26 Dark Sky Discovery Sites have been identified, of which nine are located in the East. They are classified as Milky Way Sites meaning that at these sites the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. The sites are accessible and light pollution is limited. The following Dark Sky Discovery Sites are located within the East: • Port Soderick Upper Car Park • Port Soderick Brooghs, Little Ness Car Park • Mount Murray Golf Club • Onchan Park • West Baldwin Reservoir Car Park • Clypse Kerrowdhoo Reservoir Car Park • Conrhenny Car Park • Ballanette Nature Reserve • Axnfell Plantation Natural Environment Proposal 7 Proposals for development in the vicinity of Dark Sky Discovery Sites are to have minimal outdoor lighting and be encouraged to have a design response which is non-intrusive into the darkness of night. Baffling and directionality of lighting must be sensitive to contain any necessary lighting within a subject site only. Watercourses and Wetlands The collection of hills in the East has produced a network of mountain streams which gradually join and widen to become the rivers flowing out into Douglas Bay, Port Groudle a
Environment Policy 30
Impact upon the Conservation Area/Registered Building and the visual amenities of the street scenes (StP 4, GP 2, EP 4, 30, 32, 34 & 42 of the IOMSP)
Environment Policy 30: There will be a general presumption against demolition of a Registered Building. In considering proposals for demolition or proposed works which would result in substantial demolition of a Registered Building, consideration will be given to: the condition of the building; the cost of repairing and maintaining it in relation to its importance and the value derived from its continued use (based on consistent long-term assumptions); the adequacy of efforts made to retain the building in use; and the merits of alternative proposals for the site.
Environment Policy 34
Impact upon the Conservation Area/Registered Building and the visual amenities of the street scenes (StP 4, GP 2, EP 4, 30, 32, 34 & 42 of the IOMSP)
Environment Policy 34: In the maintenance, alteration or extension of pre -1920 buildings, the use of traditional materials will be preferred. 7.29 Development within Conservation Areas 7.29.1 Conservation Areas are designated where the Department is satisfied that there is an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Accordingly, the Department will; i. appraise and review existing Conservation Areas; and ii. designate new Conservation Areas where Conservation Area appraisals have revealed individual areas to be worthy of such status. 7.29.2 Development proposals within Conservation Areas will be expected either to preserve or enhance their character or appearanc e. Development proposals should be in accordance with the Department's conservation policies set out in Planning Policy Statement 1/01, "Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man." There is generally gra nt assistance available to help in the use of appropriate materials and positive and appropriate development within Conservation Areas.
Environment Policy 42
Impact upon the Conservation Area/Registered Building and the visual amenities of the street scenes (StP 4, GP 2, EP 4, 30, 32, 34 & 42 of the IOMSP)
pment. 8.13.2 The extent of formal open space with in settlement boundaries in the South is identified on the Proposals Map (Map 3) and Inset Maps (Maps 4-7). The Isle of Man Strategic Plan (Environment Policy 42) seeks to protect these open spaces and indicates that: 8.13.3 "Inappropriate backland development, and the removal of open or green spaces which contribute to the visual amenity and sense of place of a partic ular area will not be permitted.''
Condition 1
Approval of the details of siting, design, external appearance of the building[s], internal layout, means of access, landscaping of the site (hereinafter called "the reserved matters") shall be obtained from the Department in writing before any development is commenced. Reason: To comply with the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019.
Condition 2
The removal of the conservatory roof structure shall be undertaken between 1st November and 31st March to avoid disturbing a summer roost for bats. Reason: Protection of Protect Species (Bats) during summer roost periods. This approval relates to the submitted documents and drawing all received on 21.12.2022.
Alterations and extension to dwelling (in association with RB consent application 22/00750/CON)
Alterations to dwelling including the removal of the existing rear conservatory, erection of two single storey extensions at the rear and creation of an additional entrance door on the front elevation - RB171 (in association with application 22/00748/GB)
Registered Building Consent for renovation of dwelling to include re roofing & removal of side porch (in association with PA 21/01055/GB) RB.171
Renovation of dwelling to include re roofing & removal of side porch (in association with PA 21/01056/CON) RB.171
Erection of a detached dwelling
Erection of a detached dwelling and alteration to existing vehicular access