10 May 2024 · Delegated
Mill Tower, Arbory Road, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1ha
Permission was granted for the additional use of Mill Tower, Arbory Road, Castletown as tourist accommodation. The site is a former windmill, historically known as The Witches Mill, located on the western side of Arbory Road within a complex of residential buildings. The officer considered the principle of the proposed tourist accommodation use alongside the impact on neighbouring amenity. Both were found to be acceptable, and the application was recommended for approval. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 10 May 2024 under delegated authority, subject to one condition.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 10 May 2024. The officer considered the principle of the additional use, the relevant planning tests, and the potential impact on neighbouring amenity, and found the proposal acceptable.
Policy RB/4 of Planning Policy 1/01
The proposal to add an additional use as tourist accommodation will not be altering the fabric of the building and will likely keep a Registered Building maintained
POLICY RB/4 USE In considering a proposal for change of use of a registered building, the principal aim should be to identify the optimum viable use that is compatible with the fabric, interior and setting of the building, all of which affect its special character as a building of merit. An applicant will have to illustrate that the effect of any proposed changes upon the architectural and historic interest of the building will be minimised.
Environment Policy 33 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan
the proposal will comply with the Section 15(1b) test of the Town and Country Planning Act 1999, Policy RB/4 of Planning Policy 1/01 and Environment Policy 33 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan
Environment Policy 33: The change of use of Registered Buildings will only be permitted if the proposed use is appropriate and any alterations associated with the change are not detrimental to its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. 7.28 Traditional Building Materials 7.28.1 Traditional building materials can be classified as stone for walls , slates for roofs and softwood for window frames. Local materials help to form the character of settlements in the Island. For example, sandstone was a common building material in the development of much of the older parts of Peel and limestone was historically used in Castletown. Whilst the original sources of some materials are no longer operating, reclaimed material from old buildings is often available. Such re-use will be particularly encouraged where sites are to be redeveloped and there is evide nce of material on site which can be recycled and reused. It will, however, not be appropriate to demolish historic buildings merely to reclaim usable materials. Another important aspect when attempting to retain the historic building stock is the use of the most appropriate mortar; common across the Island's built environment has been the use of lime-based mortar and washes.
General Policy 2
the proposal complies with General Policy 2, Environment Policy 22 and Transport Policy 7
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
Environment Policy 22
the proposal complies with General Policy 2, Environment Policy 22 and Transport Policy 7
Environment Policy 22: Development will not be permitted where it would unacceptably harm the environment and/or the amenity of nearby properties in terms of: i) pollution of sea, surface water or groundwater; ii) emissions of airborne pollutants; and iii) vibration, odour, noise or light pollution. 7.17.2 In addition to the above, changes in the activities associated with the current permitted use of land or a building, which in themselves do not constitute development and therefore do not require planning permission, can have an adverse impact on adjacent properties by virtue of noise, light or general disturbance. For example the addition of security lig hting on a property may cause light pollution affecting adjacent properties and the wider area. The introduction of new activities into established parks and recreation areas can have an impact on neighbours. In such cases the Department would advocate t he person or organisation considering the change to give careful consideration to the potential impact of such activity in terms of location, siting and design.
Transport Policy 7
the proposal complies with General Policy 2, Environment Policy 22 and Transport Policy 7 in connection with appendix 7 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016
Transport Policy 7: The Department will require that in all new development, parking provision must be in accordance with the Department's current standards. The current standards are set out in Appendix 7. 11.5.4 New development can have a significant impact in terms of the traffic generated by it and the impact on the various modes of travel. The Department considers that proposals which are likely to be significant traffic generators should be accompanied by a Transport Assessment(1) which should look at all modes of transport including access by public transport, cycling and on foot.
Business Policies 11
Neighbouring amenity (GP2, EP22, TP7, BP11 & 13)
Business Policy 11: Tourism development must be in accordance with the sustainable development objectives of this plan; policies and designat ions which seek to protect the countryside from development will be applied to tourist development with as much weight as they are to other types of development. Within the rural areas there may be (1) Tourism Strategy 2004 - 2008 Fit for the Future Department of Tourism and Leisure April 2004 situations where existing rural buildings could be used f or tourist use and Environment Policy 16 sets out the circumstances where this may be permitted.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.