11 September 2025 · Delegated
51, Sunningdale Drive, Onchan, Isle Of Man, IM3 1el
The application sought to demolish an existing detached garage and single-storey lean-to at the rear of a semi-detached house on Sunningdale Drive, Onchan, and replace them with a single-storey extension to the dwelling. The property has a side driveway adjacent to No 53 and the existing garage is set back from the road. The key planning issues considered were the effect on the character and appearance of the site and wider area, the impact on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, and whether adequate parking would remain on site. The application was approved on 11 September 2025 under delegated authority, subject to three conditions.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 11 September 2025. The officer's assessment focused on whether the replacement extension would harm the character of the area, affect neighbours' living conditions, or reduce parking provision to an unacceptable level. The application was permitted, with three conditions attached.
protection of local character and the environment
the proposed extension would cause no significant harm to the character and appearance of the site or wider area
protection of local character and the environment
the proposed extension would cause no significant harm to the character and appearance of the site or wider area
Strategic Policy 5: New development, including individual buildings, should be designed so as to make a positive contribution to the environment of the Island. In appropriate cases the Department will require planning applications to be supported by a Design Statement which will be required to take account of the Strategic Aim and Policies. 4.4 Economy 4.4.1 The Spatial Strategy identifies the Major Employment Areas around the Island. While the majority of business and employment is focused around the Douglas Metropolitan Area, there are other major employment areas at Castletown, the Airport/Freeport, Peel, Ramsey and Jurby. The Department considers the distribution of employment areas provides a spread of employment opportunities around the Island. While recognising the opportunities for small scale local employment within existing centres it is considered new employment should, in the main, be concentrated within existing settlements or those major employment areas referred to in the Island Spatial Strategy and illustrated on the Key Diagram. Existing Local and new Area Plans will provide detailed boundar ies for these areas. From time to time Government may judge it appropriate to offer financial incentives to encourage economic activity or investment in particular parts of the Island.
respect the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping
the proposed extension would cause no significant harm to the character and appearance of the site or wider area
not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape
the proposed extension would cause no significant harm to the character and appearance of the site or wider area
not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality
no significant harm in respect of either outlook or loss of light
meet current parking standards
Transport Policy 7: The Department will require that in all new development, parking provision must be in accordance with the Department's current standards. The current standards are set out in Appendix 7. 11.5.4 New development can have a significant impact in terms of the traffic generated by it and the impact on the various modes of travel. The Department considers that proposals which are likely to be significant traffic generators should be accompanied by a Transport Assessment(1) which should look at all modes of transport including access by public transport, cycling and on foot.
Condition 1
1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. Reason: To comply with Article 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Condition 2
2. All external facing and roofing materials to be used on the development hereby approved shall be as stated on Drawing Number 1730-2 unless details of alternative materials are first submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. Reason: In the interests of the character and appearance of the site and surrounding area.
Condition 3
3. The driveway space shown for the parking of vehicles on Drawing No 1730-2 shall at all times be made available for the parking of private motor vehicles and shall be retained for this purpose. Reason: To provide adequate off-street parking. This approval relates to the following drawings: - o Location Plan - o 1730-2, As Proposed
