16 October 2025 · Delegated
Southview, Minorca Hill, Laxey, Isle Of Man, IM4 7dp
The application sought permission to erect a new dwelling, together with an associated site entrance and driveway, on the site of the former Southview on Minorca Hill, Laxey. The decision notice reasoning refers to the settlement boundary of Douglas and a mixed office and residential land use context, though the application address is in Laxey, parish of Lonan — the policy reasoning in the notice appears to reflect standard wording. Officers assessed the proposal against visual amenity, residential amenity, and highway safety, finding no adverse impacts on any of these matters. The application was permitted under delegated authority and is subject to ten conditions, including one requiring implementation within a set period to avoid accumulation of unimplemented approvals.
The proposal was approved because it was found to be consistent with the applicable land use zoning and would not harm visual or residential amenity or highway safety. It was judged to comply with the relevant spatial, housing, transport, and environment policies of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
No development shall commence until samples of the materials and finishes to be used in the construction of the external surfaces, including walls and roofs, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The development shall not be carried out unless in accordance with the approved details. Reason: In the interests of the character and appearance of the site and surrounding area.
Condition 3
Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby permitted, a soft landscaping scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The scheme shall include details of all new trees and hedgerows and shall include a landscaping plan, planting specification and a timetable for implementation. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme. Any trees or plants indicated on the approved scheme which, within a period of five years from the date of planting, die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased, shall be replaced during the next planting season with other trees or plants of a species and size to be first approved in writing by the Department. Reason: In order to safeguard the landscape character and appearance of the area and in the interest of biodiversity.
Condition 4
The dwelling hereby permitted shall not be occupied until details of 1 no. bat box and 1 no. bird box, together with a bee brick, have been submitted to planning and approved in writing by the Department. The approved ecological enhancement features shall be installed in accordance with the approved details prior to the first occupation of the dwelling.
Condition 5
The vehicle parking spaces and turning area shown provided for the development, hereby permitted, on Drawing No. 2408-101 Proposed Site Plan, shall be provided prior to the first occupation of the dwelling and shall thereafter be retained and made available for vehicle parking and turning at all times. Reason: To ensure that sufficient on-site parking is provided to serve the development in order to avoid unnecessary on-street parking as per the requirements of the Manual for Manx Roads and Transport Policy 7 in the Adopted Isle of Man Strategic Plan (2016).
Condition 6
The development hereby approved shall not be occupied until the secure and covered bicycle store for a minimum of two bicycles has been provided within the site in accordance with details that shall have first been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. Thereafter, the secure and covered bicycle store shall be retained at all times thereafter. Reason: To promote sustainable travel in the interests of reducing pollution and congestion.
Condition 7
The visibility splays indicated approved Drawing No. 2408-101 Proposed Site Plan shall be fully provided prior to the first occupation of the dwelling hereby permitted. Thereafter the visibility splays shall be fully maintained in perpetuity. Reason: In the interest of highway safety.
Condition 8
The garage hereby approved shall be used only for the parking of private motor vehicles in association with the dwelling hereby permitted and shall not be used for any other purpose without the prior grant of planning permission Reason: To provide adequate off-street parking to serve the needs of the dwelling.
Condition 9
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order 2025 (or any Order revoking and/or re-enacting that Order with or without modification), no garages or other free standing buildings shall be erected or enclosure, swimming or other pool, container for domestic heating purposes for storage of oil of liquid petroleum gas, or the erection of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure, within the curtilage of the dwelling hereby approved, other than that expressly authorised by this approval, without the prior written approval of the Department. Reason: To prevent overdevelopment of the site and to control development in the interests of the amenities of the surrounding area.
Condition 10
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order 2025 (or any Order revoking and/or re-enacting that Order with or without modification) no extension, enlargement or other alteration of the welling, including the installation or replacement of any windows or doors, hereby approved, other than that expressly authorised by this approval, shall be carried out, without the prior written approval of the Department. Reason: To prevent overdevelopment of the site and to control development in the interests of the amenities of the surrounding area.
