Onchan Planning Committee Statement
10) Whether the proposal is for a new dwelling or an extension of the existing, the resultant appearance is unashamedly modern and quite out of keeping with its neighbours. There is also a significant amount of flat roofed balconies leading to likely overlooking of neighbouring properties - both concerns not lost on those presently living next to the site who have objected (The Edwards, Mr. Walshe and Mr. Young).
11) This is neither visually acceptable nor neighbourly. A modern approach to infill development has recently been rejected in Majestic Close (04/00819 – see Appendix One).
12) Following the initial refusal, the applicant wrote to the Planning Officer requesting advice on how to proceed accompanied by a further drawing, reference 0441/PL003A, which was neither considered by the Planning Committee nor publicised. The response to this is set out in the Planning Officer’s letter dated 25th April, 2005.
13) The site is clearly not modest in size and regular in shape. There is, as such plenty of scope for providing a sizeable dwelling, either by extension of the existing or replacement of the existing building, but where the resultant building fits in with the streetscene and where it does not exacerbate the unfortunate and discordant elements of the existing building and introduce further opportunities for overlooking and unneighbourliness.
14) As such, the Planning Committee would recommend that the views of Onchan District Commissioners and the immediate neighbours are considered and that the application is refused for the reasons set out at review.
15) If the Inspector is minded to consider that this scheme is acceptable and that it has no adverse impact on those properties alongside, the Planning Committee would recommend the imposition of the following conditions on any approval issued:
- This permission relates to the redevelopment of the site as shown in drawing reference 0441/PL001, -02 and -03 all received on 8th February, 2005.
- The development hereby approved shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Note 1: The Fire Prevention Officer recommends the installation of mains-wired, interconnected smoke detection.
This statement has been prepared on behalf of the Planning Committee by Miss Sarah Corlett, BSc(Hons) MRTPI, Planning Officer.
Samuel H. Date 4/7/05
