28 September 2012 · Delegated
Baldromma Christian, Ballamenagh Road, Baldrine, Isle Of Man, IM4 6ag
This application sought permission for alterations and a three-storey extension at Baldromma Christian, Ballamenagh Road, Baldrine, Isle of Man. The proposal was submitted as an amendment to an earlier planning permission (09/02065/B). The key difference from the previous scheme was a significant reduction in the overall scale and extent of the extension, achieved by removing a substantial three-storey element that had previously been proposed and approved. The existing dwelling is described as a large property that has evolved over the years. The application was decided under delegated authority and was permitted on 28 September 2012, in line with the officer's recommendation.
The application was permitted on 28 September 2012 under delegated authority. The proposal represented a scaled-back version of a previously approved scheme, removing a significant three-storey element that had featured in the earlier permission.
The extension or alteration of existing traditionally styled properties in the countryside will normally only be approved where these respect the proportion, form and appearance of the existing property. Only exceptionally will permission be granted for extensions which measure more than 50% of the existing building in terms of floor space (measured externally).
It therefore accords with the provisions of either Housing Policy 15 or Housing Policy 16.
Housing Policy 15: The extension or alteration of existing traditionally styled properties in the countryside will normally only be approved where these respect the proportion, form and appearance of the existing property. Only exceptionally will permission be granted for extensions which measure more than 50% of the existing building in terms of floor space (measured externally).
The extension of non-traditional dwellings or those of poor or inappropriate form will not generally be permitted where this would increase the impact of the building as viewed by the public.
It therefore accords with the provisions of either Housing Policy 15 or Housing Policy 16.
Housing Policy 16: The extension of non -traditional dwellings or those of poor or inappropriate form will not generally be permitted where this would increase the impact of the building as viewed by the public. 8.13 Conversion of Buildings to Flats 8.13.1 There are in the Island, and particularly in Douglas, many substantial buildings which, because of their size or form, are no longer suitable for the originally intended use as either single dwellings or holiday accommodation, but which are still structur ally sound. The Department has for many years encouraged the conversion of such buildings, where appropriate, into flats. 8.13.2 The size, layout, occupancy, etc., of flats are controlled by the Housing (Flats) Regulations 1982. However, all flats should also have a good external environment, characterised by - (a) a pleasant, clear outlook, particularly from the principal room(s) of the flat and (b) access to external space for the purpose of clothes-drying, refuse storage, car-parking, and general amenity. 8.13.3 Many buildings which are generally suitable for conversion into flats not only have very little space around them, but also have an annex or "outlet" at the rear. The Department may require the demolition, in total or in part, of such "outlets" even where the immediate use of the cleared space may not be possible, for example where more than one rear annex may be needed to be removed to gain access or highway work such as road widening may be required to make the cleared space useful. Such demolition will: (a) remove accommodation which has a poor environment and limited outlook; (b) permit the creation of parking space; and (c) assist in admitting light and air to the rear of the building proper. Where such demolition is not so required, the accommodation must generally be organised so that every flat has an outlook from the front of the building, and so that no flat is contained entirely within an "outlet". Exception may be made to this general approach where the environment at, and the outlook from, the rear are pleasant and open.
