Removal of bridge and excavation of embankment to form new levels in association with relaying of water pipes and electricity cables

Fox Cottage Underpass Bridge, Bishopscourt, Kirk Michael, Isle Of Man, IM6 2ez

Received8 Aug 2006

Validated11 Aug 2006

Committee1 Dec 2006

Decided5 Dec 2006

4 months

Received8 Aug 2006

Validated11 Aug 2006

Committee1 Dec 2006

Decided5 Dec 2006

4 months

Why Was This Refused?

✓Removal of a historic stone bridge on the disused railway Heritage Trail
✓Harm to the attraction, interest, and convenience of the public footpath
✓Loss of historic and architectural interest of the former railway line
✓Adverse impact on the character and appearance of an Area of High Landscape Value
✓Site located near Bishopscourt, a registered building
✓character
✓heritage
✓the attraction, interest, and convenience of the footpath
✓the historic and architectural interest of the former railway line
✓the character and appearance of the countryside in this area of high landscape value

This application sought permission to remove a bridge and excavate an embankment on a section of the disused railway line at Bishopscourt, between Kirk Michael and Ballaugh, in connection with the relaying of water pipes and electricity cables. The existing structure consists of two stone abutments with wingwalls and a timber footbridge. The site sits within an Area of High Landscape Value and Scenic Significance, and the dismantled railway forms part of the Heritage Trail, a public footpath. The registered building of Bishopscourt lies to the east of the site. The officer recommended refusal, and the committee refused the application on 5 December 2006. The main concerns were the harm to the footpath's attraction and convenience, the loss of the historic and architectural interest of the former railway, and the negative effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside.

The committee refused this application on 5 December 2006, in line with the officer's recommendation. The key concerns were the harm to the usability and character of the Heritage Trail footpath, the loss of the historic former railway bridge, and the impact on the landscape in this designated Area of High Landscape Value.

Site Observations

•The application site comprises of a bridge and embankment on a section of the disused railway line at Bishopscourt, which is located between Kirk Michael and Ballaugh.
•The existing bridge comprises of two stone abutments with wingwalls and a timber footbridge spanning the gap between the abutments.
•There are is substantial trees and hedgerow within and in the vicinity of the application site.
•The site is within an area not zoned for development and an Area of High Landscape Value and Scenic Significance.
•The dismantled railway is a public footpath and forms part of the Heritage Trail
•The application site is surrounded by agricultural fields.
•To the east of the application site is Bishopscourt, which is a registered building.

Policies Assessed (2)

ISLEOFMANPLANNINGSCH

Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Development Plan) Order 1982

PLANNING STATUS AND RELEVANT POLICIES

ISLEOFMANSTRATEGICPL

Isle of Man Strategic Plan (Modified Draft) (November 2004)

PLANNING STATUS AND RELEVANT POLICIES

Documents (36 · 1 superseded)

Officer Report Decision Notice Location Plan Planning Statement Application Form

Source & Provenance

Official reference: 06/01352/B
Source authority: Isle of Man Government Planning & Building Control
Official record URL: No stable public per-application URL provided