11 December 2024 · Committee
Flour Mill, Mill Road, Laxey, Isle Of Man, IM4 7au
The application seeks permission to install a temporary banner on the Flour Mill at Mill Road, Laxey — a registered building within a Conservation Area — until 1 January 2026, while a permanent signage solution is designed. The banner's horizontal form, size, position, and material were identified as concerns by both the Local Authority and the Registered Buildings Officer, who considered that vertical signage would better respect the character of the building and that a permanent installation of this type would cause harm to the building's special interest. However, the Registered Buildings Officer judged the case to be very finely balanced and noted that the harm would be short-term, temporary, and entirely reversible, with no long-term harm to the building. The committee agreed with the officer's recommendation that, on balance, the temporary nature of the banner and its importance in supporting the flour mill's continued operation were sufficient to justify approval, notwithstanding the acknowledged visual harm to the registered building and Conservation Area.
The committee approved the banner because its temporary and reversible nature meant any visual harm to the registered building and Conservation Area would be short-term only. The banner's role in supporting the continued operation of the flour mill was a material consideration that tipped the balance in favour of approval. A permanent installation of this design would not have been acceptable.
General Policy 6
General Policy 6: Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements will be permitted on the site or building to which they relate provided they: (a) are of a high standard of design and materials and relate well to the building and site on which they are to be displayed; (b) are in keeping with and do not detract from the surrounding area; and (c) are located so as not to cause a highway safety hazard.
General Policy 7
General Policy 7: Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements on sites or buildings other than those to which they relate will not generally be permitted. 6.6.3 Within rural areas, advertisements can be disruptive features which affect adversely the appearance of the landscape and the countryside. Lighting can pollute the night sky, and may be contrary to nature conservation interests.
Environment Policy 37
Environment Policy 37: As a general policy, advertisements within Conservation Areas will be permitted only if: i) the proposal preserves or enhances the Conservation Area; ii) the signage is in a style appropriate to the character of the area; iii) traditional materials and finishes are used and glossy and highly reflective materials are excluded from proposals; and iv) internally illuminated box fascia and projecting box signs are excluded from the proposals.
Condition 1
1. The signage hereby approved shall have been removed from the site and the building restored back to its original state by the 1st January 2026.
