SPMCE Representations Sheet

Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside & Environment

07/00264/B	Installation of metal window frames to replace existing, The Mill Office Laxey Woollen Mills St Georges Mill Glen Road Laxey Isle Of Man IM4 7AR	LAXEY
07/00265/B	Installation of timber georgian style windows to replace existing, The Old Mill Office Laxey Woollen Mills St Georges Mill Glen Road

07/00273/B

Erection of building containing 26 sheltered apartments, with associated car parking and landscaping, Former Prince's Motors Site Ramsey Road

LAXEY

07/00275/B

Erection of a locomotive shed / workshop, Lhen Coan Station Groudle Glen Railway Groudle Glen

LONAN

07/00288/B	Refurbishment and alterations to existing dwelling to form three apartments, Marine House Falcon Hill	PORT ERIN

SPMC&E VIEWS ON APPLICATIONS from WEEKLY LIST 2007/7-- List dated 22/02/07 SHEET 2 AS SENT Date of this response 22/02/07

I have grouped these two proposals together as they appear to be alternatives (though they don’t say so!) Although lots of sheets of paper are submitted, they omit to show just what all the new windows are going to look like; i.e. how they sit within the respective elevations and how the glazing bars etc are to be arranged. The Society therefore OBJECTS to these confusing and detail-lacking applications, whilst not being opposed to the general idea.

There are apparently two previous, though expired (presumably?) A-i-Ps for similar uses here and the zoning supports the proposal. Considering the scheme there are two matters which, though not directly relevant to the Society’s aims, raise worries:- Firstly, any driver entering the site (and some elderly Manx drivers are notoriously bad ones) leaves the main road on a sharp bend, which in itself needs careful attention, then has to swing sharp left around a blind bend into the shaded entryway. Here, one on each side, the main entrance doors of the flats will eject occupiers and visitors straight into the carriageway. This must be dangerous. Secondly the site is that previously occupied by the I.o.M Road Transport Company as a ‘Bus Garage’ built on what must have been part of the ‘deads’ from the Laxey Mines. Now I know subsidence is not primarily a ‘planning’ issue, unless it is likely to become so severe as to make the buildings useless, redundant and thus become a ruin in the landscape. Nevertheless we think the possibility of all or parts of the site being made-ground, needs to be noted.

The Society SUPPORTS this enterprise as being a bit of past Tourism Heritage. However the application lacks a photograph of the old building it is supposed to replace. One’s impression is that these Victorian structures were rather ‘fancy’ (for the want of a better word) with decorative eaves and barge-boards whereas the replacement building is notably plain. Could they do better design-wise?

We consider this scheme to be greatly preferred over the earlier one for rebuilding, (06/2155) and are pleased to see the shops retained.