Officer Planning Report

Planning Report And Recommendations {{table:283174}} ### Considerations {{table:283173}} ### Written Representations ### Consultations Consultee: Highways Division Notes: The Highways Division of the Department of Transport has no views on the following application, the application having been considered and having no adverse traffic impacts. Consultee: Santon Commissioners Notes: do not object in principle but express concerns over height of the structure. and also about members of the public stopping at this location. The Commissioners seek reassurance that the height of the proposed structure will not be a feature of the landscape and ideally ought not to be visible above any other structure in the vicinity. The proposed site is in a residential area. The use of the premises in the long term and the possibility of visiting by numbers of people and the parking of their vehicles on the road are matters for concern. In the event of approval being granted, the Commissioners would be grateful for the inclusion of a condition that the building shall be for personal use only and that private visitors should be able to park off the main road. Other than the above concerns, the Commissioners have no objection to the proposal Consultee: S.P.M.C. & E. Notes: see comments

Officer's Report

The Site

The site, defined in red on plan reference PM3 represents the curtilage of an existing dwelling, "The Hermitage" located on the western side of the A5 at its junction with Pound Lane. The site falls within an area of High Landscape Value and Scenic or Coastal Significance on the 1982 Plan with a site of archaeological interest to the south east.

Planning History

Previously, planning applications have been submitted in respect of development between the buildings on site and the railway line to the north east:

• 86/1223 proposed the erection of a block of 6 loose boxes and was permitted,
• 87/1097 proposed the erection of a barn and was refused due to its visual impact but without prejudice to a further application for a redesigned and re-sited building,
• 87/1655 proposed the erection of a barn and was approved and
• 95/0314 proposed the principle of the demolition of the existing barn and re-establishment of a livery business with associated dwelling and was refused for reasons relating to the designation of the site and the fact that the livery business was not yet re-established.

The Proposal

Now proposed is the demolition of an existing building and its replacement with a new building which will be 15m by 18m and 5.7m in height.

There is no indication of the height or appearance of the building to be replaced although the new building will be 3.5 larger in footprint than the existing.

I visited the site on 11th January, 2005 and it is clear that the existing buildings are not clearly visible from the Pound Road or from the Castletown Road from the north. There is unlikely to be a significant visual impact from the proposed building but its size and height should be justified with additional information.

The applicant has submitted further information in the form of a letter which explains that the building will be clad in green sheeting and that the height is to allow for a loft above the parking bays. The letter also explains that the building will be used for Mr. Murray's own personal use and will not be open to the public.

Bearing in mind its position tucked away at the end of the lane and screened by existing buildings and vegetation, I cannot see how the proposed building will have an adverse visual impact on the surroundings. Conditions can control how the building will be used to allay the fears of Santon Parish Commissioners.

Representations

Santon Parish Commissioners indicate that they are concerned regarding the visual impact of the building and its use. The Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and Environment raise concerns regarding the use and the colour and Department of Transport Highways and Traffic Division raise no objection to the proposal.

I would recommend that Santon Commissioners and Department of Transport Highways and Traffic Division as statutory consultees be granted party status to the application. The Society for the

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 21.02.2006

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.

C 2. This permission relates to the erection of a building as shown in drawings 3222-01 Rev A received on 19th January, 2006 and the location plan received on 15th November, 2006.

C 3. The building may be used only for the storage of motor vehicles in association with the occupation of "Hermitage".

I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular Nos 44/05 (Delegation of Functions to Director of Planning and Building Control) and 47/05 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer)

Decision Made: Permitted Date: 24/2/06

Signed: [Handwritten signature] M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control