30 May 2018 · Delegated
Crofton, The Crofts, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1lw
This application sought Registered Building consent to erect a rear conservatory at Crofton, The Crofts, Castletown — a substantial two-storey dwelling built throughout in local limestone and listed as Registered Building No. 261. The application was made alongside a related planning application (17/01064/GB). The application was refused on 30 May 2018. While the principle of adding a conservatory to the building was not ruled out entirely, the proposed materials and design were found unacceptable. The existing conservatory had been built using timber windows, and replacing these with uPVC on a pre-1920 building was considered harmful to the character of the Registered Building.
Registered Building consent was refused on 30 May 2018. The proposed conservatory was rejected because the materials and design — in particular the use of uPVC windows to replace existing timber ones — would harm the character of a Registered Building. The property is a substantial pre-1920 limestone dwelling, and the use of modern materials was considered incompatible with its historic character. The application also failed to provide sufficient justification for the choice of materials.
Refusal Reasons
Environment Policy 34
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.
RB/5 Alterations and Extensions
POLICY RB/5 ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS In considering whether to grant planning approval for development which affects a registered building or its setting and in considering whether to grant registered building consent for any works, the Department shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses. Registered building consent is required for the building's alteration in any way which would affect its special architectural or historic character. There will be a general presumption against alteration or extension of registered buildings, except where a convincing case can be made, against the criteria set out in this section, for such proposals. Applicants for registered building consent for alteration or extension to a registered building must be able to justify their proposals. They will be required to show why the works which would affect the character of the registered building are desirable or necessary and they should provide full information to enable the Department to assess the likely impact of their proposals on the special architectural or historic interest of the building and on its setting. Where registered buildings are the subject of successive applications for alteration or extension, consideration will also be given to the cumulative affect upon the building's special interest as a result of several minor works which may individually seem of little consequence.
