Replacement of an existing timber garage/workshop with a new double garage complete with first floor studio/workspace.

Why Was This Approved?

✓Replacement of an existing timber garage/workshop with a new double garage complete with first floor studio/workspace.

✓Official decision: Permitted

✓Conditions recorded: 2

✓Officer recommendation: approve

✓Policy codes: ENV1, ENV2, ENV42

✓Planning history references: 5

✓Consultation items: 1

✓character

✓design

✓the provisions of Policy H15 and whether the cumulative impact of the extensions amounts to more than 50% of the original dwelling

✓visual impact of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the existing dwelling and upon the visual amenity of the surrounding area

✓the impact upon the amenities of any neighbouring or nearby residential properties

Application 24/00182/B relates to Replacement of an existing timber garage/workshop with a new double garage complete with first floor studio/workspace. at Thie Jeroi Mullinaragher Road St Marks Ballasalla Isle Of Man IM9 3AQ, Malew. The official portal decision is Permitted dated 2024-06-27, determined by Delegated. The formal decision wording records: determined to APPROVE an application. Within the officer report, the officer recommendation is recorded as approve; the case officer is Hamish Laird; the officer report cites policies including ENV1, ENV2, ENV42; the report references 5 planning history entries. Consultation activity is present with 1 items and status present.

The official portal decision is Permitted dated 2024-06-27, determined by Delegated. The formal decision wording confirms: determined to APPROVE an application. The officer recommendation is recorded as approve.

Site Observations

•Thie Jeroi, comprises a 2-storey, stone built, slate roofed, detached dwelling with a fullwidth front extension under a mono-pitch slate roof which in part contains and integral garage. A large detached, timber outbuilding that is used as a garage/workshop site located to the west of the dwelling.
•The site is accessed by a drive from Mullinaragher Road which runs between the dwelling and garage/workshop up to the stables and which has an integral turning circle within its layout. The site lies in the countryside outside any recognised settlement boundary, and is screened from its surroundings on the south, east and west sides by mature trees and ponds.

Consultation Responses

Department of Infrastructure - Highways was identified with stance no_objection.

Department of Infrastructure - Highways

Statutory

No Objection

The officer report records that Highways had no highway interest in the application.

Highway Services (26/2/23) comments that: "it has no highway interest (NHI) in application 24/00182/B."

Policies Assessed (6)

GP2

General Policy 2

respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them

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

ENV1

Environment Policy 1

The countryside and its ecology will be protected for its own sake

Environment Policy 1: The countryside and its ecology will be protected for its own sake. For the purposes of this policy, the countryside comprises all land which is outside the settlements defined in Appendix 3 at A.3.6 or which is not designated for future development on an Area Plan. Development which would adversely affect the countryside will not be permitted unless there is an over-riding national need in land use planning terms which o utweighs the requirement to protect these areas and for which there is no reasonable and acceptable alternative. 7.6 Landscape Assessment and Classification 7.6.1 The present system of landscape classification remains relevant and important. However, a review of the current landscape classification system is underway in the form of an Island wide landscape and coastal quality assessment. This will identify different categories of landscape and coastal importance in order for development to be managed effectively in these areas and appropriate protection policies to be formulated. This exercise will investigate the appropriateness of designating a 'coastal planning zone' which would extend both seaward and landward of the coastline depending on the ext ent of the mean low water mark in the case of the former and the extent of direct maritime -influenced and coast - related activities in the case of the latter. The landscape assessment will also include management guidelines with respect to development not only in the designated areas but in the wider countryside as well.

ENV2

Environment Policy 2

protection of the character of the landscape

Environment Policy 2: The present system of landscape classification of Areas of High Landscape or Coastal Value and Scenic Significance (AHLV's) as shown on the 1982 Development Plan and subsequent Local and Area Plans will be used as a basis for development control until such time as it is superseded by a landscape classification which will introduce different categories of landscape and policies and guidance for control therein. Within these areas the protection of the character of the landscape will be the most important consideration unless it can be shown that: (a) the development would not harm the character and quality of the landscape; or (b) the location for the development is essential. 7.7 Woodland 7.7.1 The Island has a number of small woodlands in both private and public ownership, both of which are important for the appearance and visual amenity of the Island's countryside. Woodlands add variety to the landscape and are valued for their historical qualities and nature conservation interest. They should not be removed, damaged or fragmented and the Department will encourage additional broadleaf planting where appropriate. The 1982 Development Plan indicates areas of 'woodland' which are Registered and other areas deemed to be Registered, which gives them greater protection under planning legislation as well as the Tree Preservation Act 1993. Broadleaved woodlands can be damaged either directly or indirectly, and development close to woodlands will therefore be subject to the following policy.

ENV42

Environment Policy 42

New development in existing settlements must be designed to take account of the particular 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.

H15

Housing Policy 15

The extension or alteration of existing traditionally styled properties in the countryside will normally only be approved where these respect the proportion, form and appearance of the existing property

H16

Housing Policy 16

The extension of non-traditional dwellings or those of poor or inappropriate form will not generally be permitted

Housing Policy 16: The extension of non -traditional dwellings or those of poor or inappropriate form will not generally be permitted where this would increase the impact of the building as viewed by the public. 8.13 Conversion of Buildings to Flats 8.13.1 There are in the Island, and particularly in Douglas, many substantial buildings which, because of their size or form, are no longer suitable for the originally intended use as either single dwellings or holiday accommodation, but which are still structur ally sound. The Department has for many years encouraged the conversion of such buildings, where appropriate, into flats. 8.13.2 The size, layout, occupancy, etc., of flats are controlled by the Housing (Flats) Regulations 1982. However, all flats should also have a good external environment, characterised by - (a) a pleasant, clear outlook, particularly from the principal room(s) of the flat and (b) access to external space for the purpose of clothes-drying, refuse storage, car-parking, and general amenity. 8.13.3 Many buildings which are generally suitable for conversion into flats not only have very little space around them, but also have an annex or "outlet" at the rear. The Department may require the demolition, in total or in part, of such "outlets" even where the immediate use of the cleared space may not be possible, for example where more than one rear annex may be needed to be removed to gain access or highway work such as road widening may be required to make the cleared space useful. Such demolition will: (a) remove accommodation which has a poor environment and limited outlook; (b) permit the creation of parking space; and (c) assist in admitting light and air to the rear of the building proper. Where such demolition is not so required, the accommodation must generally be organised so that every flat has an outlook from the front of the building, and so that no flat is contained entirely within an "outlet". Exception may be made to this general approach where the environment at, and the outlook from, the rear are pleasant and open.

Conditions (2)

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 garage/workshop building, hereby permitted, shall be used only for purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse at Thie Jeroi, Mullinaragher Road, St Marks, and shall not at any time be occupied at any time other than for purposes ancillary to the residential use of the site as a single dwelling and only in accordance with the internal layout shown on plan 2401/03.