9 December 2019 · Delegated
Isle Of Man Education, Castle Rushen High School, Arbory Road, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1re
Permission was granted to replace an existing bike shelter with a high-level canopy at Castle Rushen High School, Arbory Road, Castletown. The school sits to the south of Arbory Road, with the car park and sports courts near the road and the main buildings set further back. The area where the canopy would be built is a small paved courtyard partly enclosed by classroom blocks. The officer's report noted that this area is not visible from outside the school and can only be seen from an adjoining classroom or the staff car park to the south of the tennis court. The two main planning issues considered were whether the facility was acceptable in principle and whether it would harm the visual character of the area. Given the enclosed and largely hidden location, the application was approved with one condition attached.
The application was approved by a delegated Principal Planner on 9 December 2019. The key planning considerations were the principle of the facility and its impact on visual amenity. The proposed canopy is located in a small enclosed courtyard within the school grounds that is not visible from the public road, so its visual impact was considered acceptable.
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
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
Community Policy 5
Permission will generally be given for proposals to improve or extend existing schools and institutions of high education
Community Policy 5: Permission will generally be given for proposals to improve or extend existing schools and institutions of higher education and to build new schools, subject to their being sited and designed in accordance with the other policies of this plan, having particular regard to the potential for community use of the buildings and the associated Open Space. 10.11 Community Health Care Facilities 10.11.1 Health care facilities such as nursing homes, residential homes, or training centres are usually sited within residential areas, but can generate activity and traffic which has detrimental effects on the amenity and character of these areas. The following policy is therefore adopted.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
