Removal of a chimney stack

Why Was This Refused?

• ✓Proposed removal of a chimney stack at a terraced property within the Woodbourne Road Conservation Area
• ✓Removal judged to harm the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and surrounding townscape
• ✓Applicant argued dampness caused by moisture penetrating the chimney stack justified removal
• ✓Inspector found dampness concerns did not outweigh the harm to conservation area character
• ✓Concern raised about setting a precedent for removal of other chimney stacks in the area
• ✓Appeal dismissed, confirming the refusal
• ✓character
• ✓design
• ✓heritage
• ✓precedent

This application sought permission to remove a chimney stack at 18 Kensington Road, Douglas, a property within the Woodbourne Road Conservation Area. The application was refused by the delegated planning authority in July 2014. The refusal was based on the finding that removing the chimney stack would adversely affect the character and appearance of the locality, the terrace, and the Conservation Area, and would not preserve or enhance its special features. The applicant appealed, arguing that the chimney stack was causing persistent dampness through porous brickwork, that other remedies had failed, and that the terrace already lacked uniformity so removal would make little visual difference. Inspector Stephen Amos dismissed the appeal, finding that the harm to the Conservation Area's character outweighed the dampness concerns, and that approval could set an unacceptable precedent for the removal of other chimney stacks.

Planning permission was refused because removing the chimney stack would harm the character and appearance of the Woodbourne Road Conservation Area. The proposal was found to fail to respect the design of the site and surroundings, and would not preserve or enhance the special features of the Conservation Area. An appeal was subsequently dismissed, confirming this outcome.

Appeal

Documents (31)