23 September 2021 · Delegated
Field 434021, Victoria Road, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1ee
The proposal covers a pair of two-storey semi-detached dwellings in the north-western corner of 'The Meadows' estate, a larger development of 96 dwellings on land between Douglas Road and the Isle of Man Steam Railway line at Castletown. The application amended the house types approved under the original consent (PA 18/00524/B) for these two plots, without reducing the two off-road parking spaces previously approved for each dwelling. The key planning issues assessed were residential amenity, highway safety, and public safety. The principle of residential development was already established by the extant approval. The change in house type raised no new highway safety concerns, as parking provision remained unchanged. The application was assessed against General Policy 2 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan, the Residential Design Guidance 2021, and the Area Plan for the South 2013, and was found to meet all relevant tests.
The application was approved because the amended house types raised no unacceptable impacts on the appearance of the area, neighbouring amenity, or public safety. Parking provision was unchanged from the original consent, so no new highway safety concerns arose. Conditions were imposed to ensure off-road parking is in place before occupation and that fencing matches the original approval.
IOMSP
The application meet the tests of General Policy 2 of the IOMSP
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
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
Prior to occupation of any dwelling, the respective car parking shall be constructed as indicated on the approved plans and shall remain as approved for the duration of occupation of the development.
Condition 3
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order 2012 or any Order superseding this, no fencing or walling which abuts any area of Public Open Space, highway or at the rear of plots 49-56 may be introduced other than in accordance with details as approved under C2 of PA 18/00524/B or unless otherwise submitted to and approved in writing by the Department and retained as such thereafter.
