Erection of a retaining wall of gabion baskets along the boundary with Manx Electric Railway tracks (retrospective)

Why Was This Approved?

• ✓Retrospective permission for a gabion basket retaining wall along the boundary with the Manx Electric Railway tracks
• ✓Limited visibility from public viewpoints due to topography, built development, and roadside landscaping
• ✓Wall visible from the MEA tram but judged not intrusive
• ✓Use of Manx stone and trailing planting reduces the visual mass of the wall
• ✓Approved under delegated powers with two conditions attached
• ✓design
• ✓whether the proposed works would have a significant visual impact upon the area
• ✓visual appearance of the walling is limited and certainly does not significantly affect public visual amenities of the area

This retrospective application sought permission for a retaining wall made of gabion baskets, erected along the boundary of land adjacent to Rockwood, Ramsey Road, Laxey, where it meets the Manx Electric Railway tracks. The key planning question was whether the wall would have a significant visual impact on the surrounding area. The officer concluded that it would not, noting that the site is not readily visible from the main A2 road through Laxey due to the lie of the land, nearby buildings, and mature roadside planting. The wall is most visible to passengers on the MEA tram, but was assessed as noticeable rather than intrusive, with the use of Manx stone within the gabion baskets and ivy or trailing planting helping to reduce its visual bulk. The application was approved by delegated decision on 31 July 2014, subject to two conditions.

The application was approved on the basis that the gabion basket retaining wall does not significantly affect public visual amenities. The site is largely screened from the main road by topography, existing buildings, and mature landscaping. While the wall is visible from the Manx Electric Railway tram, it was not considered an intrusive feature, particularly given the use of Manx stone and ivy planting to soften its appearance.

Policies Assessed (1)

Conditions (2)

1. 1

   Condition 1

   The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.

2. 2

   Condition 2

   All planting, seeding or turfing comprised in the approved plans (Drwg 03) must be carried out in the first planting and seeding seasons following the completion of the development. Any trees or plants which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased must be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species.

Planning History (5)

Documents (13)