12 September 2025 · Delegated
St Michaels Church, Main Road, Kirk Michael, Isle Of Man, IM6 1er
The proposal covers the replacement of eight windows positioned approximately halfway up the tower of Michael Parish Church, a Victorian Gothic building designed by notable local architect John Welch. The church is a registered listed building situated within a conservation area. The key planning question was whether the replacement windows would preserve the building's special architectural and historic interest and the character of the conservation area, as required by the statutory tests under sections 16 and 18 of the relevant Act. The Ecosystems Policy Team raised the legal protection of bats and requested a preliminary bat assessment and ecological mitigation plan as conditions of any approval. Officers judged that the replacement windows would preserve the building's special interest and the conservation area's character, satisfying the statutory tests and according with Strategic Policy 4, Environment Policy 32, and Environment Policy 35. The application was approved by delegated decision with two conditions attached.
The replacement windows were judged to preserve the listed building's special architectural and historic interest and the character of the conservation area, meeting the statutory tests under sections 16 and 18 of the Act. The works also accord with the relevant strategic and environment policies requiring protection of registered buildings and conservation areas. A condition requiring a bat assessment and ecological mitigation plan was attached to protect legally protected species.
Strategic Policy 4
protect and preserve the registered building's special interest
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.
Environment Policy 32
protect and preserve the registered building's special interest
Environment Policy 32: Extensions or alterations to a Registered Building which would affect detrimentally its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest will not be permitted. 7.27 Change of Use of Registered Buildings 7.27.1The best use for a Registered Building is usually the use for which the building was designed. However, it is recognised that it is often necessary to look for a new use to secure the economic future of the b uilding. It is important therefore that any new use is appropriate and that physical alterations are sensitive to its character. (1) Curtilage is defined in Appendix 1
Environment Policy 35
protect and preserve the registered building's special interest
Environment Policy 35: Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development. 7.30 Development adjacent to Conservation Areas 7.30.1 It is often the case that important views into and out of a Conservation Area can contribute significantly to its character. It is necessary to assess the impact any development adjacent to conservation areas may have on such views.
Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment
Planning Policy Statements
Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment
Planning Policy Statements
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
Prior to the commencement of works, a preliminary assessment for roosting bats and summer emergence surveys shall been undertaken by a suitably qualified ecological consultancy and a report including a ecological mitigation plan be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. Thereafter the ecological mitigation plan is to be carried out in full. Reason: To ensure the development results in no harm to the statutory protected species. This decision relates to the supporting information and schedule of work submitted on 1.8.2025.
