21 June 2019 · Delegated
Christ Church, Church Hill, Laxey, Isle Of Man, IM4 7ax
This application sought Registered Building consent for the installation of non-illuminated signage at Christ Church, Church Hill, Laxey — a mid-19th century stone church with a slate roof and traditional lead windows, listed as Registered Building No.85 and situated within Laxey Conservation Area. The main planning issues considered were the impact of the proposed signage on the Registered Building and whether it would preserve or enhance the building's special character and appearance. An existing green welcome sign is already present on the north elevation of the church, partly screened by mature trees. The application was decided by delegated authority and was permitted on 21 June 2019.
Registered Building consent was granted on 21 June 2019 for the installation of non-illuminated signage at Christ Church, Laxey. The key planning considerations were the impact of the new signage on the character of the Registered Building and whether it would preserve or enhance the special character and appearance of the church.
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016
display of external advertisements
General Policy 6: Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements will be permitted on the site or building to which they relate provided they: (a) are of a high standard of design and materials and relate well to the building and site on which they are to be displayed; (b) are in keeping with and do not detract from the surrounding area; and (c) are located so as not to cause a highway safety hazard.
General criteria applied in considering registered building applications
Conservation Areas of Planning Policy Statement 1/01
POLICY RB/3 General criteria applied in considering registered building applications The issues that are generally relevant to the consideration of all registered building applications are:- • The importance of the building, its intrinsic architectural and historic interest and rarity, relative to the Island as a whole and within the local context; • The particular physical features of the building (which may include its design, plan, materials or location) which justify its inclusion in the register; descriptions annexed to the entry in the register may draw attention to features of particular interest or value, but they are not exhaustive and other features of importance, (e.g. Interiors, murals, hidden fireplaces) may come to light after the building's entry in the register; • The building's setting and its contribution to the local scene, which may be very important, e.g. Where it forms an element in a group, park, garden or other townscape or landscape, or where it shares particular architectural forms or details with other buildings nearby (including other registered buildings).
ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS
Conservation Areas of Planning Policy Statement 1/01
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.
ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS
Conservation Areas of Planning Policy Statement 1/01
POLICY RB/10 ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS The same provisions apply for registered buildings which fall within this category, as apply elsewhere. Contrary to the situation which prevails elsewhere, no exemption exists with respect to ecclesiastical buildings in the Isle of Man. In considering applications for registered building consent for alteration or extension to buildings in this category, it is acknowledged that factors such as the size and requirements of modern congregations may differ considerably from when the church was originally constructed. Applicants considering carrying out alterations, extensions or improvements to ecclesiastical buildings which are registered, should consider the extent to which their proposals will affect the particular historic merit or architectural character of the building in question. An application is less likely to succeed if either of these qualities is markedly affected. It must also be remembered that in addition to the requirement for registered building consent, it will usually be necessary to obtain the formal consent of the appropriate church authority: early dialogue can often assist in deciding upon the most appropriate way to progress such works. FIXTURES AND CURTILAGE STRUCTURES The Registration of a building confers protection not only on the building, but extends to its full curtilage. Protection is also conferred on any object or structure fixed to the building, which is ancillary to the building. The word "fixed" is taken to have the same connotation as in the law of fixtures. The rule provides that any object or structure fixed to a building should be treated as part of it. It is a test, therefore, of fact in each individual case, as to whether a structure is free-standing or physically fixed to the building. Generally, it would be reasonable to expect some degree of physical annexation, together with indications that the annexation was carried out with the intention of making the object an integral part of the land or building. The principal tests as to whether an object or structure is within the curtilage of the Registered Building will relate to the physical layout of the land surrounding the Registered Building at the date of Registration and the relationship of any structures on the surrounding land to each other. Changes in ownership, occupation or use after the date of Registration will not bring about the de-Registration of a building which formed part of the principal building at the date of Registration. LEASEHOLD TENURE It is important that in creating a Leasehold Tenure of a Registered Building, particularly in the case of a fully or partially repairing Lease, notice of the building's Registered status should be passed from Landlord to Tenant, as the policies which apply to the Registered Building and its freehold estate, will generally be equally enforceable against the owner of a leasehold estate. (e.g. If a Leaseholder carries out unauthorised works which affect the special architectural character or historic interest of the building). FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Grant assistance for works which would be judged to be routine maintenance and repair, would not usually be available as a matter of course. However, works to protect the structural integrity of the building, or which protect the architectural and historic interest of the building, may well merit financial assistance under one of the prevailing financial assistance schemes operated by the Department. Financial assistance can help ease the burden of the requirement to use traditional craftsmanship and materials, or to reinstate on a "like for like" basis. Each case will be judged upon its individual merits. CONSERVATION AREAS The Town and Country Planning Act, 1999 provides that: (1) The Department shall determine which parts of the Island are areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance, and shall by order designate such areas as conservation areas. (2) Before making an order under subsecti on (1) the Department shall consult - every local authority in whose district the area in question, or any part of that area, falls.