17 July 2014 · Delegated
Plot 1 Off, Station Road, St Johns, Isle Of Man, IM4 3na
This application sought permission to erect a dwelling with an attached garage on a plot off Station Road, St Johns, Isle of Man. The Department of Infrastructure refused the application on 17 July 2014. Two specific failings were identified in the submitted plans: they did not provide adequate information about drainage or ground levels, making it impossible to assess whether the development would harm the surrounding area; and they showed a very significant number of trees being removed from the site without any justification. The tree removal was particularly problematic because an earlier approval in principle had specifically required a detailed survey of existing trees, measures to protect them during construction, and provision for new planting. None of these requirements were reflected in the submitted plans, meaning the proposal breached conditions of that earlier consent and would have a seriously damaging impact on the site's character, ecological value, and its contribution to St. John's village.
The Department of Infrastructure refused this application on two grounds. First, the submitted plans lacked sufficient information on drainage and ground levels to show the development would not harm the area. Second, the plans showed a very significant number of trees being removed without justification or the required tree survey, protection measures, or new planting that had been set as conditions of an earlier approval in principle, meaning the proposal would seriously damage the character and ecological interest of the site and its contribution to St. John's village.
Refusal Reasons