13 January 2015 · Committee
Nirvana, Ramsey Road, Laxey, Isle Of Man, IM4 7py
Permission was granted for the erection of a detached garage with office accommodation below at Nirvana, Ramsey Road, Laxey. The proposal was an amendment to an earlier planning permission on the same site. The site is the curtilage of a single-storey detached bungalow. It slopes from north to south, meaning the rear of the site sits at a considerably lower level than the road. The rear of the site adjoins the Manx Electric Railway. During the application process, the design was amended so that the ground floor of the garage would be finished in cedar boarding.
The application was permitted by committee on 13 January 2015. The officer recommended approval, and the key planning issues considered were the impact on residential amenity, the design of the building, and its effect on the street scene. An amendment was agreed during the process, changing the ground floor finish of the garage to cedar boarding.
The Isle of Man Strategic Plan
Given the nature of the application it is appropriate to consider General Policy 2 of The Isle of Man Strategic Plan (20th June 2007).
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
