10 October 2025 · Delegated
Barclays Bank Plc, Market Square, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1lq
Manx National Heritage applied for registered building consent to carry out alterations and repair works to 1 Market Square, Castletown — a building formally known as Registered Building 30. The application was considered alongside a related planning application. The building was designed by architect Thomas Brine and constructed in the early 1830s. It sits on the site of a historic gun tower built into the glacis of Castle Rushen, and formerly served as Castletown's Custom House. Despite later alterations — including the infilling of original open arches to form windows — the building retains much of its external form and historic fabric. The application was approved by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture on 10 October 2025, subject to one condition.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved registered building consent for alterations and repair works to 1 Market Square, Castletown. The application was submitted by Manx National Heritage and decided under delegated authority on 10 October 2025.
Environment
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016
Strategic Policy 4: Proposals for development must: (a) Protect or enhance the fabric and setting of Ancient Monuments, Registered Buildings (1), Conservation Areas (2), buildings and structures within National Heritage Areas and sites of archaeological interest; (b) protect or enhance the landscape quality and nature conservation value of urban as well as rural areas but especially in respect to development adjacent to Areas of Special Scientific Interest and other designations; and (c) not cause or lead to unacceptable environmental pollution or disturbance. 4.3.8 The design of new development can make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the Island. Recent development has often been criticised for its similarity to developments across the Island and elsewhere - "anywhere" architecture. At the same time some criticise current practice to retain traditional or vernacular designs. As is often the case the truth lies somewhere between the two extremes. All too often proposals for new developments have not taken into account a proper analysis of their context in terms of siting, layout, scale, materials and other factors. At the same time a slavish following of past design idioms, evolved for earlier lifestyles can produce buildings which do not reflect twenty first century lifestyles including accessibility and energy conservation. While there is often a consensus about what constitutes good and poor design, it is notoriously difficult to define or prescribe. 4.3.9 The Department recognises the need to raise the quality of the Island's architecture and built environment and is pursuing this through the development control process and the commissioning of its own schemes and environmental improvements. At the same ti me it appreciates that the debate about good design needs to be broadened to include those who design, construct and finance new development and the wider community as we are all affected by the end product. To this end it welcomes the Isle of Man Arts Co uncil's National Arts Development Strategy 2005 - 2014 which has as one of its objectives, to raise the quality of the Island's architecture and built environment by encouraging debate on architectural standards, town and country planning, urban regenerati on and public art. This Strategy recognises that debate will have to take place over time. 4.3.10 In the meantime, the Department considers that, while there are a number of policies in the Strategic Plan which cover various elements of the design of new development e.g. General Policy 2 (a) -(i), ( m) and (n), and various Housing policies, there is a need for a further statement on the need to secure quality in the design of new development. In the preparation of Area Plans the Department will include development briefs that set out design principles for significant sites including new residential areas. Subsequent planning applications will be required to be accompanied by a Design Statement setting out the way in which the proposal has been designed to take into account its context and how the design principles have been developed. 4.3.11 At the same time as wishing to promote good design in new development the Department recognises that there are an increasing number of alternative styles of housing which draw their design principles from the wish to promote sustainability and energy efficiency. Many of these can be incorporated into both modern and traditional designs but in some cases they produce a completely different structure or form of buildings, for exa mple underground (1)Registered Building is defined in Appendix 1 (2) Conservation Area is defined in Appendix 1 housing. While wishing to conserve the historic landscape of the Island the Department welcomes new styles of housing as long as they take into account the landscape context and the impact on the amenities of the area in which they are si ted. Merely arguing that a new building cannot be seen in public views is not a justification for the relaxation of other policies relating to the location of new development.
Planning Policy Statement
RB/3 General Criteria Applied in Considering Registered Building Applications
Planning Policy Statement 1/01
POLICY RB/3 General criteria applied in considering registered building applications The issues that are generally relevant to the consideration of all registered building applications are:- • The importance of the building, its intrinsic architectural and historic interest and rarity, relative to the Island as a whole and within the local context; • The particular physical features of the building (which may include its design, plan, materials or location) which justify its inclusion in the register; descriptions annexed to the entry in the register may draw attention to features of particular interest or value, but they are not exhaustive and other features of importance, (e.g. Interiors, murals, hidden fireplaces) may come to light after the building's entry in the register; • The building's setting and its contribution to the local scene, which may be very important, e.g. Where it forms an element in a group, park, garden or other townscape or landscape, or where it shares particular architectural forms or details with other buildings nearby (including other registered buildings).
ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS
Planning Policy Statement 1/01
POLICY RB/5 ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS In considering whether to grant planning approval for development which affects a registered building or its setting and in considering whether to grant registered building consent for any works, the Department shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses. Registered building consent is required for the building's alteration in any way which would affect its special architectural or historic character. There will be a general presumption against alteration or extension of registered buildings, except where a convincing case can be made, against the criteria set out in this section, for such proposals. Applicants for registered building consent for alteration or extension to a registered building must be able to justify their proposals. They will be required to show why the works which would affect the character of the registered building are desirable or necessary and they should provide full information to enable the Department to assess the likely impact of their proposals on the special architectural or historic interest of the building and on its setting. Where registered buildings are the subject of successive applications for alteration or extension, consideration will also be given to the cumulative affect upon the building's special interest as a result of several minor works which may individually seem of little consequence.
SPECIAL PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
Planning Policy Statement 1/01
POLICY CA/2 SPECIAL PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS When considering proposals for the possible development of any land or buildings which fall within the conservation area, the impact of such proposals upon the special character of the area, will be a material consideration when assessing the application. Where a development is proposed for land which, although not within the boundaries of the conservation area, would affect its context or setting, or views into or out of the area; such issues should be given special consideration where the character or appearance of a conservation area may be affected.
Condition 1
The works hereby granted registered building consent shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this consent.
Replacement of existing asbestos roof tiles on pitched roof over escape stairs with natural slate (in association with 16/00012/CON)
Registered Building Consent for replacement of existing asbestos roof tiles on pitched roof over escape stairs with natural slate (RB no 30 in association with 16/00011/GB)
Registered Building Consent for the installation of external lighting (RB no 30 in association with 15/01208/GB)
Installation of exterior illumination (in association with 15/01209/CON, 15/01210/CON & 15/012011/CON)
Installation of an air conditioning condenser to rear elevation (in association with 11/01020/CON)
Registered Building Consent for installation of an air conditioning condenser to rear elevation (Registered Building no 30 in association with 11/01019/GB)
Installation of an air conditioning condenser unit on side elevation (In association with 10/01713 CON)
Registered Building Consent for the installation of an air conditioning condenser unit on side elevation, RB no 30 (In association with 10/01712 GB)
Installation of a security camera on front elevation (In association with 06/01610CON)
Registered Building Consent for the installation of a security camera on front elevation (In association with 06/01609 GB)
Erection of advertising signs
Installation of replacement cash machine, Barclays Bank, 1 Market Square, Castletown.
Erection of CCTV dome, Barclays Bank Premises, Market Street, Castletown.
Repairs to parapets & details of leadwork, Barclays Bank, Market Square, Castletown.
Erection of illuminated facsia sign and low energy floodlights, Barclays Bank, Market Square, Castletown.
Installation of wall cash dispenser, Barclay's Bank, Market Place, Castletown