12 September 2025 · Delegated
Double Garage Off George Paddock Car Park, Farrants Way, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1nx
Permission was granted to convert a pair of single garages into one double garage, with associated alterations to the door and roof. The garages sit centrally within a block of 12 single-storey garages, all of similar type and size, with corrugated sheet roofs and individual up-and-over doors. Access is via the public car park off Farrants Way, Castletown. The officer assessed three main planning issues: design and visual impact, effects on neighbouring amenity, and highway safety. The proposal was found acceptable on all three grounds and was approved under delegated powers. Three conditions were attached to the permission.
The application was approved on 12 September 2025. The officer considered design and visual impact, effects on neighbouring amenity, and highway safety, and found the proposal acceptable on all three counts.
Priority for new development to identified towns and villages
Design and visual impact
Castletown is defined as a Service Centre
Design and visual impact
Strategic Policy 2: New development will be located primarily within our existing towns and villages, or, where appropriate, in sustainable urban extensions(2) of these towns and villages. Development will be permitted in the countryside only in the exceptional circumstances identified in paragraph 6.3. (1) Open Space is defined in Appendix 1. (2) Sustainable Urban Extensions are defined in Appendix 1 4.3.2 Appendix 3 to the Plan identifies the towns and villages, and also explains why the Department has rejected the idea of a new settlement, which was mooted in the Consultation Draft published in May 2000. 4.3.3 Each of our towns and villages has an ind ividual character arising not only from its geographical position and existing fabric, but also from its historical, cultural, and social background. This character should be protected and enhanced. Accordingly:
General Development Considerations
This application has been recommended for approval for the following reason. The proposed extension to the existing garage and front porch would be in accordance with General Policy 2 of the IoM Strategic Plan.
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
Views in / out of Conservation Areas
For the above reasons, the proposal would not harm the character of the area or that of the conservation area and would comply with General Policy 2, Environmental Policy 36, of the IOMSP.
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.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
The garage hereby approved shall at all times be made available for the parking of private motor vehicles(s) and shall be retained available for such use.
Condition 3
The garage(s) hereby approved shall not be used for any commercial or business use or storage from within.