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Planning statement on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure
Planning and Building Control Division in respect of planning for the Demolition of redundant shop unit, refurbishment of toilets, modification of roof and creation of glazed canopy to existing station building together with reconstruction of the entrance from Station Road and paving of existing Goods Yard to create a public plaza Port Erin Railway Station
Station Road Port Erin Isle Of Man IM9 6AD - 13/00573/B
Statement prepared on behalf of the Planning and Building Control Division by Miss S E Corlett
1.1 The site is part of the curtilage of Port Erin Railway Station which is situated on the southern side of Main Road within the heart of Port Erin village. The area defined by the red line includes the station building itself, the paved entrance area in front of the building, part of the end of the railway track as it leads to the goods shed at the western end of the line, the grass and paved pedestrian area between the public footway and the railway station area, and the footway itself. The platform is not included within the site. 1.2 The railway station offers the ticket office facilities, toilets, a waiting area, small shop and a cafe. 1.3 The boundary of the site to Station Road is presently formed by a low brick wall with grey metal railings on top between the entrance to the museum and the pedestrian stepped entrance to the platform. To the east of this is a higher section of brick walling leading up to the station building. 1.4 To the side of the building is a wooden fence separating the station site from the public house to the east (The Haven).
2.1 Proposed are alterations to the main building and changes to the pedestrian access and areas surrounding the station building including new paving, a new entrance from the west of the station into the platform area and opening up and incorporating the station area and platform to the footway to the west of the building. 2.2 Changes to the building include the demolition of the shop annex, removal of existing canopies, erection of a new canopy which will continue across the front around the site and tie into the existing tiled canopy on the rear elevation facing the platform. New high level windows will be installed on the front elevation facing Station Road to serve the toilets, a new belfry added to the roof, replicating an original feature. 2.3 The frontage of the site to Station Road will no longer be a straight stretch of walling and railings, but will comprise low red brick wall with spear-top cast iron railings which steps in to the site incorporating a level entrance to the platform and opening up the northern end of the railway line to be incorporated into the pedestrian amenity area alongside Station Road.
3.1 The site lies within an area designated on the Southern Area Plan as "Railway". The site falls within the proposed Conservation Area indicated in the Plan although this will be progressed separately. The station building is identified in the Plan as worthy of consideration for registration but which the Department has not yet investigated.
4.1 There have been some previous applications for the site for small scale developments such as notice boards and signage, none of which is considered relevant to the consideration of this current application.
5.1 Port Erin Commissioners have written in to inform that the application has been approved. 5.2 The Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority have written in with No Objection subject to the following condition:
"In order to protect the key strategic IRIS main which is laid under the railway tracks in this area, any contractor appointed to undertake the above works must contact the Water \& Sewerage Authority in order to agree the necessary protection of the pumping main during the construction works."
6.1 The critical considerations in this case are whether the proposed changes are appropriate to the historical and architectural importance of the railway station building and its setting, and to the streetscene in which the building plays an important part, and that the proposed changes to the pedestrian areas provide convenient accessibility to the station and at the same time preserve the setting of the station.
6.2 The demolition of the redundant shop unit, clearly a later addition which does little to add to the architectural quality of the complex, will allow pedestrian access around this part of the building and return this area close to its originally designed form. 6.3 The toilet facilities currently in place are of little architectural or historic interest; their refurbishment will result in modern facilities which are considered an enhancement to the building and its visitors. 6.4 The roof over the Waiting Room is extended toward Station Road over the toilet block which is currently a flat roofed, later section of the building. Further works proposed to the roof is the reinstatement of the belfry on its existing, original plinth. The extension of the pitched roof over the toilet block clearly has a positive impact on the form of the building and combined with the reinstatement of the belfry, unifies the building. 6.5 The creation of glazed canopy to existing station building - the photographs appended to the file illustrate a modern, aluminium (or similar) glazed canopy currently in place. A perusal of available historic photography online shows that the station has had a canopy, probably since it was originally built. Wrapping the canopy around the building helps draw the visitor to the station into the entrance and is certainly in keeping with the use of the building whilst providing a light, 'airy' and welcoming feeling to the building and complex as a whole. 6.6 The paving of existing Goods Yard, the installation of low walls topped with railings, the installation of the former 'crossing gates' from Droghadfayle Road to be used as 'station yard gates', a sculpted stone seat and a combined planter, Stop-Block \& Station Sign Board are intended to create a public plaza and intended to create a 'gateway' into and out of Port Erin, based around the Railway Station. The materials and detailing used are in keeping with the use of the surrounding Steam Railway buildings and can be considered to enhance the immediate environs of the Railway station and this part of Port Erin as a whole.
7.1 The local authority, Port Erin Commissioners are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005 paragraph 6.4(d) interested parties and as such would be afforded party status to this application. 7.2 The comments from the Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority relate to advice for those implementing the scheme, rather than material planning considerations and as such the Authority would not usually be afforded party status in this case.
8.1 If the application is recommended for approval, the following conditions would be considered appropriate:
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