10 March 2025 · Delegated
St Georges Church, Upper Church Street, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 1jb
The application sought advertisement consent for a new aluminium notice board on the north gable wall of the church porch at St Georges Church, Upper Church Street, Douglas. The board measures 1.5m wide by 1.2m high and is designed in an ecclesiastical style to match existing notice boards already in place around the churchyard boundaries. The site lies within the Athol Street/Victoria Street Conservation Area, so the key planning test was whether the installation would preserve the character and appearance of that area. Officers judged that the board's scale, form, and style were appropriate to the church and consistent with the existing boards, meaning no harm would result to the conservation area's character or the surrounding townscape. The Highways Authority raised no highways interest, so there was no concern about public safety.
The notice board was approved because its size, form, and ecclesiastical style were judged to preserve the character of the conservation area and to be appropriate to the church itself. It matches existing boards already in place around the churchyard, and the Highways Authority confirmed no highways safety concern. The proposals met the statutory conservation area test and relevant Isle of Man Strategic Plan policies.
POLICY CA/2
POLICY CA/2 POLICY CA/4
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.
POLICY CA/4
POLICY CA/2 POLICY CA/4
POLICY CA/4 PROPOSALS FOR PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT It is important that designation is not seen as an end in itself, but that there be an opportunity for the designation to be considered in a wider context, such as that of an area plan. It is this overview which will basically determine the long term validity and prosperity of the conservation area. For example, proposals and policies contained within an area plan may take the opportunity to improve matters such as traffic congestion in and around a conservation area by traffic management and improvement, the provision of off-street parking and the introduction of some pedestrian or bicycle priority ways. The plan will also prescribe the use of land and buildings within the conservation area and beyond and may indicate opportunities for enhancement by restoration and re-use, or if appropriate, for replacement of elements within the conservation area which detract from the special character of the area.
Condition 1
The advertisement(s) hereby granted consent shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
