25 July 2005 · Committee
7, The Quay, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1ld
This application sought permission to install a dormer window to the front elevation of Harbour House, 7 The Quay, Castletown — a resubmission following an earlier refusal. The property sits on the corner of Quay Lane and the Quay on the northern side of Castletown Harbour, and is both a Registered Building and within an adopted Conservation Area. The Planning Committee refused the application. While acknowledging the revised proposal was more modest and less intrusive than the previously refused scheme, the committee found it would still introduce a feature with no precedent in the building's existing or historic appearance, making a significant alteration to a Registered Building. The committee concluded the proposal failed to preserve or enhance the Conservation Area, in line with the relevant conservation policies for the historic environment.
The Planning Committee refused permission for the dormer window. Although the proposal was more modest than a previously refused scheme, it would still introduce a feature that has never been part of the building's appearance. The committee concluded this would significantly alter a Registered Building and fail to preserve or enhance the character of the Conservation Area.
Refusal Reasons
RB/5 Alterations and Extensions
significant alterations to the appearance of a Registered Building
POLICY RB/5 ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS In considering whether to grant planning approval for development which affects a registered building or its setting and in considering whether to grant registered building consent for any works, the Department shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses. Registered building consent is required for the building's alteration in any way which would affect its special architectural or historic character. There will be a general presumption against alteration or extension of registered buildings, except where a convincing case can be made, against the criteria set out in this section, for such proposals. Applicants for registered building consent for alteration or extension to a registered building must be able to justify their proposals. They will be required to show why the works which would affect the character of the registered building are desirable or necessary and they should provide full information to enable the Department to assess the likely impact of their proposals on the special architectural or historic interest of the building and on its setting. Where registered buildings are the subject of successive applications for alteration or extension, consideration will also be given to the cumulative affect upon the building's special interest as a result of several minor works which may individually seem of little consequence.
Conservation Area Policy 4 (PPS 1/01)
fails to either preserve or enhance a property within an adopted Conservation Area
POLICY CA/4 PROPOSALS FOR PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT It is important that designation is not seen as an end in itself, but that there be an opportunity for the designation to be considered in a wider context, such as that of an area plan. It is this overview which will basically determine the long term validity and prosperity of the conservation area. For example, proposals and policies contained within an area plan may take the opportunity to improve matters such as traffic congestion in and around a conservation area by traffic management and improvement, the provision of off-street parking and the introduction of some pedestrian or bicycle priority ways. The plan will also prescribe the use of land and buildings within the conservation area and beyond and may indicate opportunities for enhancement by restoration and re-use, or if appropriate, for replacement of elements within the conservation area which detract from the special character of the area.
