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Application No.: 19/01097/B Applicant: Manx Utilities Authority Proposal: Installation of a heat pump to replace boiler Site Address: Cronkbourne The Level Colby Isle Of Man IM9 4AF Planning Officer: Mr Paul Visigah Photo Taken: 22.10.2019 Site Visit: 22.10.2019 Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 13.11.2019 _________________________________________________________________
C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions C 1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Reason: To comply with article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
This approval relates to the submitted documents and drawings all received on 30 September 2019. _______________________________________________________________
None _____________________________________________________________________________
Officer’s Report THE SITE
1.1 The site represents the residential curtilage of Cronkbourne, The Level, Colby which is a two storey detached property located to the Level. This dwelling is surrounded by properties of varying designs and floor levels. Its front elevation is partly enclosed by its dwarf masonry wall and 1.8m hedging. This hedging stretches to the side of the front garden and terminates at the front building line.
2.2 Noise levels provided by the product specifications submitted indicate that the noise emitted by the unit would be 47dB @ 1 metre. PLANNING POLICY - 3.1 The site is identified as being in an area of 'Residential use' as per the Peel Local Plan
3.2 General Policy 2 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 is therefore relevant:
"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:
3.3 The Strategic Plan also provides guidance on the installation of renewable energy apparatus:
"12.2.8 The Department is fully supportive of the need to secure greater energy efficiency in new and existing development and has recently introduced additional energy efficiency requirements in the Building Regulations 2003. Energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources are covered in General Policy 2(m) of the Building Regulations. At the same time the Department recognizes that renewable energy sources can have adverse environmental impacts. The idea of a wind turbine Installation is currently being investigated and considered by the Manx Electricity Authority. Any feasible site is likely to be exposed and have considerable visual impact. There may also be other impacts such as noise. On a smaller scale, the popularity of domestic wind turbines has been increasing in recent years in response to rising energy prices and increasing awareness of climate change. Planning applications for domestic wind turbines are unlikely to require the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment. The Department will assess any proposals for wind turbine installations by weighing the benefits of using such renewable energy sources against the environmental impact arising in any particular site. It is likely that the visual impact would be less detrimental on a coastal site than on a rural or upland one.
Accordingly:
3.4 Energy Policy 4: Development involving alternative sources of energy supply, including wind, water and tide power, and the use of solar panels, will be judged against the environmental objectives and policies set out in this Plan. Installations involving wind, water and tide power will require the submission of an EIA."
4.1 The application site has been the subject of a previous planning application which is not considered to be specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application. REPRESENTATIONS
5.2 Arbory Parish Commissioners have stated that they support the application in a letter dated 26 October 2019. ASSESSMENT - 6.1 The main issues with the proposal are whether the scheme would have an acceptable impact upon the visual amenities of the street scene and to the individual property and whether the proposal would have a significant impact upon the neighbouring amenities of the abutting dwelling on the east of the application site.
6.2 In relation to the visual amenities of the street scene, from the front elevation the proposed works would not be apparent due to existing boundary treatment around the front garden which consists of an approximate 1.8 metre high hedge and shrubbery which would be between the proposal and the highway. Accordingly it is considered the proposal would have no adverse impacts upon the visual amenities of the street scene or the individual property.
6.2 In terms of noise impact, the sound pressure level of the heat pump at 47dB @ 1 metre would not be significantly different than that expected from an outdoor oil boiler. For reference, 50dB is similar to the noise generated by light traffic, 60dB that of normal conversation or an air conditioner. There will be a background noise generated but this is not considered likely to have a detrimental impact on the amenity of the neighbours given the distances from the ASHP and the neighbouring property on the east elevation which is 3m. It is also noted that there are no window openings on the gable wall of the abutting dwelling facing the application site. As such, it is not expected that impact on amenity from noise will be higher than that currently experienced from the boiler. - 6.3 Drainage of any condensate would be through an adjacent drain, and condensate is unlikely to be of any significant level. The existing drainage is considered appropriate.
RECOMMENDATION
7.1 For these reasons the proposal is considered to comply with GP2 and Energy Policy 4 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan and is recommended for approval. INTERESTED PERSON STATUS - 8.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No 2) Order 2013 (Article 6(4), the following persons are automatically interested persons:
I can confirm that this decision has been made by a Principal Planner in accordance with the authority afforded to that Officer by the appropriate DEFA Delegation.
Decision Made : Permitted Date: 14.11.2019 Determining officer
Signed : S CORLETT Sarah Corlett Principal Planner
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