15 July 2024 · Delegated
Westham Court, Arbory Road, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1nd
Permission was granted for a single storey extension and the installation of three air source heat pumps at Westham Court, Arbory Road, Castletown. The property sits outside Castletown's Conservation Area, to the north west of The Crofts and north east of Arbory Road. The officer's report identified three main planning considerations: the impact on the character and appearance of the street scene, potential effects on neighbouring properties, and the presence of trees on the site. All were assessed and found to be acceptable. The application was approved on 15 July 2024 under delegated authority, subject to two conditions.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 15 July 2024. The officer also recommended approval. The key planning considerations were the impact on the character and appearance of the street scene, effects on neighbouring properties, and the trees on the site, all of which were found to be acceptable.
General Policy 2
comply with General Policy 2
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 36
Environment Policy 36: Where development is proposed outside of, but close to, the boundary of a Conservation Area, this will only be permitted where it will not detrimentally affect important views into and out of the Conservation Area. 7.31 Advertisements in Conservation Areas 7.31.1 Some advertisements found and proposed in Conservation Areas are inappropriate and do not reflect the special character and designation of the area. The design of advertisements should respect the physical appearance of the premises in order to integrate re adily with its surroundings. Traditional details, hanging signs and hand painted signage are most appropriate and will be encouraged.
Environment Policies 22
in accordance with General Policy 2 and Environment Policies 22 and 24
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.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
This approval relates to the installation of air source heat pumps where these are Mitsubishi Ecodan, unit model PUZ-HWM140VHA(-BS) Ecodan R32 Monobloc Air Source Heat Pump as shown and described in the submitted brochure or similar, in accordance with the following approved plans and brochure all received on 03.06.2024.