6 March 2024 · Delegated
Former Barn To The Rear Of, The Auburns, 19, Lezayre Road, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 2lp
This application sought permission to alter a two-storey detached property at 19 Lezayre Road, Ramsey, including replacement rear extensions, a front porch, and raising the existing roof to provide additional living accommodation. The property is a five-bay dwelling recognised by the Registered Buildings Officer as displaying a Manx Georgian style. Although it sits outside a Conservation Area, it has historic significance and makes a positive contribution to the local streetscene. The proposed removal of the parapet overhang and the increase in height of the main ridge and flanking chimney breasts were considered harmful to that character. The application was refused in March 2024. In addition to the heritage concern, the applicant failed to provide adequate arboricultural information to demonstrate that the development would not harm a Category A Registered tree within the site.
The application was refused on two grounds. First, the proposed changes — including removing the parapet overhang and raising the main ridge and chimney breasts — were found to harm the architectural and historic character of the existing dwelling, which the Registered Buildings Officer identified as displaying a Manx Georgian style, and to damage the appearance of the streetscene. Second, the applicant did not submit sufficient arboricultural information to show that the works would not harm a Category A Registered tree on the site.
Refusal Reasons
Design and visual impact
harmful impact upon the intrinsic architectural and historic significance of the existing dwelling
Strategic Policy 5: New development, including individual buildings, should be designed so as to make a positive contribution to the environment of the Island. In appropriate cases the Department will require planning applications to be supported by a Design Statement which will be required to take account of the Strategic Aim and Policies. 4.4 Economy 4.4.1 The Spatial Strategy identifies the Major Employment Areas around the Island. While the majority of business and employment is focused around the Douglas Metropolitan Area, there are other major employment areas at Castletown, the Airport/Freeport, Peel, Ramsey and Jurby. The Department considers the distribution of employment areas provides a spread of employment opportunities around the Island. While recognising the opportunities for small scale local employment within existing centres it is considered new employment should, in the main, be concentrated within existing settlements or those major employment areas referred to in the Island Spatial Strategy and illustrated on the Key Diagram. Existing Local and new Area Plans will provide detailed boundar ies for these areas. From time to time Government may judge it appropriate to offer financial incentives to encourage economic activity or investment in particular parts of the Island.
General Development Considerations
harmful impact upon the intrinsic architectural and historic significance
General Development Considerations
detrimental impact upon the health and vitality of a Category A Registered tree
Designed to respect the character and identity of the locality
harmful impact upon the intrinsic architectural and historic significance
pment. 8.13.2 The extent of formal open space with in settlement boundaries in the South is identified on the Proposals Map (Map 3) and Inset Maps (Maps 4-7). The Isle of Man Strategic Plan (Environment Policy 42) seeks to protect these open spaces and indicates that: 8.13.3 "Inappropriate backland development, and the removal of open or green spaces which contribute to the visual amenity and sense of place of a partic ular area will not be permitted.''
