20 August 2010 · Delegated
Fields 612376 - 612415 - 612416 Adjacent To All Saints Park Off, Lonan Church Road, Laxey, Isle Of Man, IM4 7lg
This application sought permission to erect a dwelling on Plot 2 at All Saints Park in Lonan, with the house type amended from that previously approved under planning application 10/00354/B. The revised scheme also included additional single-storey extensions to the side (garage) and rear (lounge). The key planning question was whether the larger dwelling remained appropriate for the site. Officers concluded that the increased size was suitably accommodated within the plot and would not unduly affect public amenity, private amenity, or highway safety. Permission was granted on 20 August 2010 by the Director of Planning and Building Control under delegated authority, subject to two conditions.
Permission was granted on 20 August 2010 under delegated authority. The amended house type, together with the additional single-storey side and rear extensions, was considered to fit suitably within the plot without harming public amenity, private amenity, or highway safety.
Residential development may be permitted on this site where this complies with the following development brief
The application site is located within a wider area of land that is designated for residential development under the Laxey and Lonan Area Plan Order 2005
Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted
In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan contains two policies that are considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application
General Policy 2: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; (j) can be provided with all necessary services; (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption. 6.3 Development outside of areas zoned for development
Development of land which is zoned for residential development must be undertaken in accordance with the brief in the relevant area plan
In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan contains two policies that are considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application
Housing Policy 6: Development of land which is zoned for residential development must be undertaken in accordance with the brief in the relevant area plan, or, in the absence of a brief, in accordance with the criteria in paragraph 6.2 of this Plan. Briefs will encourage good and innovative design, and will not be needlessly prescriptive. 8.8 Groups of Houses in the Countryside 8.8.1 There are in the countryside man y small groups of dwellings which, whilst not having the character of, or the full range of services usually provided in a village, nevertheless have a sense of place and community. These groups are found variously at crossroads, in places sheltered by trees or topography or around chapels, abandoned mills or smithys. 8.8.2 Adding further dwellings to these groups may not accord with our strategic objectives relating to settlements and sustainability but may assist in meeting the need of rural areas; may maintain social and family associations and assist in sustaining the rural economy; and may reduce the pressure for purely sporadic and isolated development which the Department would not support. Such additions would also need to be sensitively related to the existing settlement pattern and the landscape. 8.8.3 In the most recent local and Area Plans, the Department has in fact identified a number of these opportunities and in future Area Plans all groups of houses in the countryside will be assessed for d evelopment potential by identifying the village envelope or curtilage and providing the opportunity for appropriate development within this area. There may be some settlements where no additional dwellings will be permitted. In considering the definition o f this curtilage or envelope, particular regard will be had to the value of existing spaces in terms of their contribution to the general character of the settlement or to public amenity more generally. It is important, however that such development is controlled by the development plan process rather than as ad hoc decisions taken in isolation. 8.9 New Agricultural Dwellings 8.9.1 As is indicated in Chapter 7 (at Section 7.14), permission will not be granted for new agricultural dwellings in the countryside unless there is real agricultural need demonstrated sufficient to off-set the general planning objections to new dwellings in the countryside. 8.9.2 Agricultural need should be established having regard to: (a) what living accommodation has been built on, or in association with the farm holding in the past, and how it is now occupied; and (b) who will occupy the proposed dwelling, and what role they will play in the operation of the farm; in some circumstances, there will be a legitimate need for a dwelling for a retiring farmer who proposes to vacate the farmhouse but to continue to assist on the farm.
Condition 1
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Condition 2
This approval relates to drawing no.s 2384.1 rev. B and 2384.7 rev. B date stamped the 7th July 2010.