23 March 2005 · Committee
Claddagh Mill House, Sulby Bridge, Sulby, Isle Of Man, IM7 2ez
The proposal involved demolishing a large two-storey house with roofspace accommodation and constructing a replacement dwelling on the same site in Sulby, Lezayre. At the same time, the applicant sought to convert a three-storey mill building and an adjacent single-storey outbuilding into a second dwelling. The outbuildings were assessed as structurally compromised to the extent that any conversion would require substantial demolition and rebuilding — a level of intervention that conflicts with Planning Circular 3/89 on the renovation of buildings in the countryside. The site is served by a single-track private lane with sub-standard vision splays onto the A3, which the Highways Division identified as a safety concern. The officer considered the replacement dwelling acceptable in isolation but recommended refusal because a split decision — approving the replacement dwelling while refusing the conversion — would have been inappropriate given the complexity of the combined application. The Planning Committee agreed and refused both elements.
The application was refused for two reasons. First, the poor structural condition of the mill outbuildings meant that converting them into a dwelling would require so much demolition and rebuilding that it would amount to new construction rather than renovation, contrary to Planning Circular 3/89. Second, the single-track access lane with inadequate visibility onto the A3 would create a significant highway safety hazard if an additional dwelling were served by it.
Refusal Reasons
Renovation of Buildings in the Countryside
the conversion of existing redundant buildings where such conversion complies with planning circular 3/89 - Renovation of Buildings in the Countryside. Alternatively the Department may accept the expansion of existing facilities which have shown a positive previous contribution to tourism in the area. However, no approval will be granted to any development which would result in an adverse impact on the countryside whether this be from visual intrusion, the impact of traffic or car parking or inadequate arrangements for the servicing of the development.
