10 April 2007 · Delegated
16, Castlemona Avenue, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 4eh
This application sought approval in principle to convert Matlock House, a guest house of 18 bedrooms at 16 Castlemona Avenue, Douglas, into five self-contained apartments. The site sits in a predominantly residential area, with a motor vehicle showroom to the south and a residential property to the north. The case officer, Mr Ian Brooks, recommended refusal. The officer report noted that existing ancillary accommodation below street level, with a high blank wall and railings in front of bay windows, was considered seriously unsatisfactory as an outlook from a habitable room. The application was refused by delegated decision on 10 April 2007. The full refusal reasons are not available in the supplied evidence.
The application was refused on 10 April 2007. The case officer recommended refusal, and the delegated decision followed that recommendation. The specific reasons for refusal are not detailed in the available evidence, though the officer report noted concerns about the existing ancillary accommodation being below street level with a seriously unsatisfactory outlook from habitable rooms.
Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Douglas Local Plan) Order 1998
Relevant Policies
Conversion of Buildings into Flats
The creation of separate flat in the basement would result in a poor living environment by virtue of its outlook and light available. Accordingly, this unsatisfactory living environment would not comply with the provisions of Planning Circular 2/88 "Conversion of Buildings into Flats".
