1 May 2019 · Committee
Auldyn House, 24, Parliament Street, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 1ap
The proposal involved alterations and raising the roof of Auldyn House at 24 Parliament Street/West Quay, Ramsey, to accommodate one retail unit on the ground floor, four offices, and a new two-bedroom apartment created within the extended roof space, spread across three and a half floors. The building is a traditional three-storey property within Ramsey Conservation Area and was in a poor state of repair at the time of the application. The main planning issues were the impact on the Conservation Area and street scene, and the absence of on-site parking. On design and heritage, the officer concluded that the overall scheme would bring more benefits to the Conservation Area and street scene than harm, and would return a redundant town centre building to active use. Planning Committee approved the application in line with the officer's recommendation.
The Planning Committee approved the scheme because the benefits to the Conservation Area and street scene outweighed the concerns, and the proposal would bring a redundant building back into productive use. The lack of on-site parking for the new apartment was considered acceptable given the town centre location and availability of public car parking nearby.
Development should make the best use of resources
Strategic Policy 1: Development should make the best use of resources by: (a) optimising the use of previously developed land, redundant buildings, unused and under -used land and buildings, and re - using scarce indigenous building materials; (b) ensuring efficient use of sites, taking into account the needs for access, landscaping, open space (1) and amenity standards; and (c) being located so as to utilise existing and planned infrastructure, facilities and services. 4.2.2 In pursuance of (c) abo ve, the Department will, when formulating its programme for the preparation of new Area Plans, have particular regard to: (a) the availability of mains drainage connected to IRIS or other mains systems; (b) securing the future viability of rural primary schools; (c) the public investment in the Island's highway, bus, railway and tramway networks; (d) the provision and availability of water; and (e) community facilities. 4.3 Environment 4.3.1
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
The render to the external walls of the gable ends of the two terraces hereby approved are required to be painted a colour to match that of the existing gable ends of the two terraces which are in already place, and shall be permanently retained as such thereafter.
Condition 3
The window/door frames to the French doors serving the two roof terraces hereby approved shall be finished in a dark grey colour to match the slate roof, and shall be permanently retained as such thereafter.
Condition 4
No development shall commence until a bat survey has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The bat survey shall identify impacts on bat species together with mitigation, where appropriate, including a timetable for its implementation. The development shall not be carried out unless in accordance with the approved details.
Condition 5
No development shall commence until a sample of all roofing materials to be used has been provided on site and approved in writing by the Department. The approved sample(s) shall be kept on site for reference until the development is completed. The development shall not be carried out unless in accordance with the approved details.
