23 May 2024 · Delegated
Dreswick, Linden Avenue, Port St. Mary, Isle Of Man, IM9 5er
This retrospective application sought permission for an oil tank erected at Dreswick, a detached dwelling with frontage onto both Linden Avenue and Queens Road in Port St Mary. The tank sits on the northern side of the property, closest to the boundary with the neighbouring property Handley Cross. The tank is described as fairly slim and low to the ground, with its top reaching no higher than the cill of the utility room window behind it. Its concrete base is set 4.2 metres back from the edge of the highway, reducing its prominence in the streetscene. The key planning issues considered were the principle of the development, its visual impact on the house and surrounding area, and any effects on neighbouring amenity. The application was approved by delegated decision, with three conditions attached.
The application was approved on 23 May 2024. The oil tank was assessed against its visual impact on the house, streetscene, and surrounding area, as well as any effects on neighbouring amenity. Its modest size, low profile, and position set 4.2 metres back from the highway were considered acceptable.
General development considerations and standards
meeting with General Policy 2 (b, c, g) of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016
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
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
Within 3 months of this decision notice the timber trellis hereby approved (as shown on drawing OT3B) shall be finished in a dark green in colour and retained as such thereafter
Condition 3
The screen planting hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the details as shown on drawing OT1B and OT3B and within the next available planting season. Any screen plants indicated on the plans which, within a period of five years from the date of planting, die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced during the next planting season with other plants of a similar species and size and retained thereafter. Reason: In the interest of softening views of the oil tank from the neighbours perspective.
