23 April 2024 · Delegated
Hawthorne Cottage, Church Road, Maughold, Isle Of Man, IM7 1as
Permission was granted for the installation of a replacement conservatory and replacement windows and door at Hawthorn Cottage, Maughold, Isle of Man. The property is a two-storey detached dwelling with a traditional appearance, situated within the centre of Maughold Village and within a Conservation Area. The existing rear conservatory is a lean-to glazed structure measuring approximately 5.3m by 2.7m. The proposal sought to replace this along with windows and a door on the main dwelling. The officer assessed the impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area as the primary planning concern. The application was approved on 23 April 2024, subject to one condition.
The application was approved on 23 April 2024 under delegated powers. The key planning considerations were whether the proposal met the statutory test under the Town and Country Planning Act and whether it would harm the character and appearance of the Maughold Conservation Area. The replacement conservatory and windows were found to be acceptable on both counts. Approval is subject to one condition.
Designation of conservation areas
the proposal would not conflict with Section 18(4) of the Town and Country Planning Act
he proposed level of development on the highway system. Essentially, the evidence demonstrated that the highway network could cope with the expected traffic growth up to 2026. The Strategic Links18 between the communities on the Island (the Centres referred to in the Spatial Strategy) are below. Strategic Link Roads in the East Highway Route A1 Douglas to Peel A2 Douglas to Laxey A2 Laxey to Ramsey A5 Douglas to Ballasalla A18 Douglas to Ramsey 17 Chapter 11, Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 18 Chapter 11, Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 Douglas, as the Main Centre, sits at the top of the hierarchy of service provision and is home to most of the Island's principal businesses and shops. More 'strategic links' converge on Douglas than anywhere else on the Island. The public transport network consists of buses and seasonal rail services. Lord Street currently serves as the main bus transfer hub although during the lifetime of the plan the creation of a bus station may need to be addressed. There is a short section of cycle route on Peel Road which is a strategic route i n from the South and West. Further opportunities are still under investigation and are likely to develop further alongside other measures as part of the delivery of the Active Travel Action Plan 19. The intention is to provide better and safer cycling and walking routes into and out of Douglas, better links between vehicular routes and off road routes with an overall policy goal of increasing the number of people travelling actively. The Area Plan fully supports the integration of the Active Travel Strategy into the sustainable development framework for the East. Particular Issues in the East Traffic Congestion and Road Junctions The Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 concluded that following junctions experience regular traffic congestion: • Quarterbridge Junction • Mountain Road/Governor's Road Junction • Glencrutchery Road/Victoria Road Junction The implications of adding the new housing units needed in the East to the road network during the plan period are set out in the Strategic Plan (see below): i. the Strategic Links are, and should, continue to operate within their 3,060 vehicles per hour capacity for the duration of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (up to 2026); ii. the Quarterbridge and Governors Hill junctions will continue to operate at greater than 85% capacity and the increased traffic flows predicted in all the assessments will increase congestion at these locations; and iii. traffic flows at the Parliament Square junction in Ramsey, Ballacraine junction, and Main Road junction at Onchan are all set to incr ease by 2026 which will increase congestion at these locations. Outside of the East Plan area, sensitivity tests were undertaken in the Strategic Plan based on the planned level of development from 2011 to 2026. These concluded that: i. on the Ballacraine to Ramsey Strategic Link, there was no requirement to undertake further traffic congestion investigation work in rural village locations such as Kirk Michael; and ii. on the Castletown to Ballasalla and Ballasalla to Douglas links there would be the requirement for traffic congestion investigation work in Ballasalla in 2026. 19 GD 0043/18 Active Travel Strategy 2018 - 2021 From the outset of the preparation of this Plan, it has been acknowledged that the Onchan Main Road traffic signals would require further assessment. This would ensure that the junctions woul d not be subject to a high level of congestion as a resu lt of additional development. This was just one reason for carrying out detailed scenario testing work looking at different ways of spreading development across the settlements in the East. Network Capacity Issues - Roads and Utilities During the early stages of the Plan, work was undertaken to help understand both the infrastructure and environmental implications of different growth distribution patterns within the East. The servicing of Baldrine and Laxey for sewer and mains water supply were identified as matters of concern and limitation in capacity. This arises both from advice from the servicing Authority, Manx Utilities, and consideration of the public consultation respo nses. Levels of development in those two locations in terms of how they may or may not be able to be serviced and the timeframes involved were visited and re-visited throughout the plan stages and the Public Inquiry. In terms of i dentifying and addressing network capacity, new development requires water and sewer services, electricity, telecommunications and legal access connection to the road network. These are reasonable expectations of modern society and ensure a basis of healthy and connected communities for all. All sites identified can in principle be adequately serviced. Some sites will have to address specific issues set out in Development Briefs. Judgements will always be made at the planning application stage as to what
Seeks to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of Conservation Areas
Environment Policy 35: Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development. 7.30 Development adjacent to Conservation Areas 7.30.1 It is often the case that important views into and out of a Conservation Area can contribute significantly to its character. It is necessary to assess the impact any development adjacent to conservation areas may have on such views.
General Development Considerations
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
Seeks to Protect or enhance the fabric and setting of Conservation Areas
character and need to adhere to local distinctiveness
Impact upon character and appearance of the Conservation Area (EP 35, STP 4, EP 42, & GP 2)
pment. 8.13.2 The extent of formal open space with in settlement boundaries in the South is identified on the Proposals Map (Map 3) and Inset Maps (Maps 4-7). The Isle of Man Strategic Plan (Environment Policy 42) seeks to protect these open spaces and indicates that: 8.13.3 "Inappropriate backland development, and the removal of open or green spaces which contribute to the visual amenity and sense of place of a partic ular area will not be permitted.''
Special Planning Considerations
Planning Policy Statements: 1/01 POLICY AND GUIDANCE NOTES FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT OF THE ISLE OF MAN
POLICY CA/2 SPECIAL PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS When considering proposals for the possible development of any land or buildings which fall within the conservation area, the impact of such proposals upon the special character of the area, will be a material consideration when assessing the application. Where a development is proposed for land which, although not within the boundaries of the conservation area, would affect its context or setting, or views into or out of the area; such issues should be given special consideration where the character or appearance of a conservation area may be affected.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Installation of two replacement windows with alterations
material to the assessment of this application
Alterations and extension to dwelling
material to the assessment of this application
Alterations and extension to dwelling
material to the assessment of this application