22 May 2024 · Committee
1, Karran Close, Reayrt Mie, Ballasalla, Isle Of Man, IM9 2bp
The additional 10 homes were to be accommodated by using smaller house types. The application was refused on 22 May 2024. Decision-makers concluded that fitting more dwellings into the same footprint, with smaller units, would produce a cramped and uninviting development. A particular concern was the layout's reliance on rows of car parking positioned to the front of properties, which would make the development feel vehicle-dominated and detract from the appearance of the streetscene. The refusal identified that the scheme would create an unacceptably poor living environment and low level of residential amenity, affecting both the future occupants of the new homes and neighbouring properties. The site has a history of five related planning applications.
The application was refused by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. The emphasis on rows of car parking to the front of properties was judged harmful to the streetscene and would result in a poor living environment for both future occupants and neighbouring residents.
Refusal Reasons
Strategic Policy 1
n. 106 of the buildings on the Register are located in the East. Building registrations are divided by Local Authority below: Registered buildings in the East Registered Buildings in the East14 Total in each Local Authority area Douglas 73 Onchan 14 Braddan 11 Santon 3 Marown 2 Laxey 2 Lonan 1 Total 106 Unlike in the UK, there is currently no grading system in place for Registered Buildings, though this is under review. Treatment of Registered Buildings is covered by the Town and Country Planning (Registered Buildings) Regulations 2013 and by Planning Policy Statement 1/01. It is recognised that the East, in common with the Island as a whole, contains a significant waiting list of historic buildings which may be worthy of Registered Building status. The process of appraisal and registration is ongoing. 14 As recorded at the time of the Plan's Adoption, September 2020 Urban Environment Proposal 5: Where an application relates to a building which has been proposed for entry onto the Register, advice must be sought from the responsible Department prior to the submission of any planning application on how best to approac h any modifications to such historic assets. Conservation Areas Of the 20 Conservation Areas on the Island, 11 of these are within the East and the majority are in Douglas: Conservation Areas in the East Douglas Other Settlements Little Switzerland Laxey Ballaquayle Road Onchan Selborne Drive Windsor Road Olympia Woodbourne Road Douglas Promenades Athol Street/Victoria Street/Duke Street Douglas North Quay Conservation Area Character Appraisals have been carried out for a number of areas in the East and this work is to be reviewed before any action to designate new Conservation Areas. Cabinet Office is committed to moving forward with this work during the remainder of the plan period in line with the procedure set out in Section 18 of the Town and Country Act 1999. It is worth noting that new developments could and should form the conservation areas of the future by providing excellent examples of well designed, environmentally sustainable and liveable communities. Ancient Monuments There is a diverse collection of heritage assets in the East, ranging from the Neolithic to the modern period. While some monuments are protected by the Manx Museum and National Trust (Manx National Heritage), the immediate setting and, in some instances, the landscape context may also need protection or enhancement. Many heritage assets are located on comparatively remote or isolated sites which are unlikely to be subject to change arising from development but others are within or close to our settl ements or may be close to potential mineral workings or sites for public infrastructure. The sites included on the Environmental Constraints Map represent the most up to date list of Ancient Monuments. Of the 29 protected Ancient Monuments in the East, among the most notable are: • The Braaid: Site of an ancient Celtic -Norse era community including remnants of a roundhouse (c650 CE) and two longhouses (c950 CE). • King Orry's Grave: Neolithic chambered tomb (3000 BCE). • St Trinian's Church: A 14th Century church which lost its roof in the 17 th Century, also known as the Keeil Brisht or 'Broken Church'. • The Great Laxey Wheel: The largest surviving working wheel of its kind in the world. Built in 1854 to pump water from the Glen Mooar section of the Great Laxey Mines complex. Urban Environment Proposal 6 Applications on sites or close to sites that contain an Ancient Monument must be designed taking into account the character of the Monument and its environs to ensure it is satisfactorily protected. Railway architecture The route of the still -operational Isle of Man Steam Railway winds south and west from Douglas through Port Soderick and Santon Stations before continuing to its terminus in Port Erin. Given that the route, most of the rolling stock, and mos t of the station buildings and line-side structures are essentially as they were when the railway opened in 1874, there is obvious cultural and historic interest. The same is true (in terms of interest) for the MER. Urban Gulls The large population of gulls has become a concern in Douglas and other coastal settlements in the East due to the nuisance caused by noise , detritus and aggression towards humans during nesting season. In addition to stopping the feeding of gulls and pigeons and ensuring bins are adequately covered, steps can be taken to 'design out' this issue by installing the following devices: • bird netting or mesh • bird spikes • chimney spike system • chimney mesh cover • bird wire system Contaminated and polluted sites The re-use of previously developed land is an important element in achieving regeneration and sustainable development objectives and to improve both the built and living environment. This is supported by paragraph 7.20.2 and Environment Policy 26 of the Strategi
Strategic Policy 3
Strategic Policy 5
General Policy 2
Respect the local character and identity
Environment Policy 42: New development in existing settlements must be designed to take account of the particular character and identity, in terms of buildings and landscape features of the immediate locality. Inappropriate backland development, and the re moval of open or green spaces which contribute to the visual amenity and sense of place of a particular area will not be permitted. Those open or green spaces which are to be preserved will be identified in Area Plans. 7.35 Urban Regeneration 7.35.1 Within some of the large r towns on the Island, there are areas which are showing signs of deterioration and degradation. Often these areas are characterised by older housing stock, (1) Infill development is defined in Appendix 1 (2) Backland development is defined in Appendix 1 (3) Tandem development is defined in Appendix 1 limited investment, empty and underused buildings, derelict sites and generally poor environments. As a result these areas can suffer from economic, environmental and social problems which need tackling holistically to stem the process of decline and to encourage regeneration. Areas which are considered to be in need of regeneration should be identif ied in Area Plans and any schemes or proposals whether for refurbishment, environmental improvements or complete redevelopment must be formulated by involving the local community which would be directly affected by the regeneration of the area. The Department also supports, in general, environmental improvements to our towns and villages.
Housing Policy 5
Housing Policy 5: In granting planning permission on land zoned for residential development or in predominantly residential areas the Department will normally require that 25% of provision should be made up of affordable housing. This policy will apply to developments of 8 dwellings or more. The term affordable housing is defined by the Department as housing which is either: directly provided by the Department; or directly provided by Local Authorities; or meets the criteria for the Department's House Purchase Assistance Scheme 2004 (and any successor schemes approved by Tynwald). 8.7 New Housing in Existing Settlements 8.7.1 Recent Local Plans and Area Plans have included development briefs guiding the design and layout of land which is zoned for residential use. Such briefs should not needlessly prescribe design, but should indicate site-specific constraints, the need for provision of public facilities or amenities (such as play areas, neighbourhood shops, or land for schooling, open space, or road improvements), and, if appropriate, the maximum or minimum density and the need for the inclusion of an element of affordable housing. Where these briefs state that an optimum density should be achieved this should not be used as an argument for higher density development which has an adverse effect on the residential amenity of adjoining properties or the character of the area.
Residential development comprised of 282 dwellings, associated highway and drainage infrastructure and public open space, and the construction of a new by-pass road
Erection of 107 dwellings (amendment to dwelling types approved under PA 19/00137/B)
Erection of 13 terraced & semi-detached dwellings on the site of 9 previously approved detached & semi-detached dwellings
Third phase of development consisting of 128 dwellings, a neighbourhood centre with children's nursery and local shop units, and public open space
Minor changes application for PA 19/00137/B involving alterations, traffic calming features, new footpath link and pedestrian link