5 June 2007 · Committee
Old Vicarage, Lonan Church Road, Laxey, Isle Of Man, IM4 7jx
The proposal sought to add an extension to a converted outbuilding within the curtilage of a detached dwelling on Church Road, Lonan. The outbuilding had previously been converted to living accommodation under a 1994 approval. The stated purpose of the new extension was to create additional habitable space so the applicant could live separately within the outbuilding while their son and daughter-in-law occupied the main house. Although the applicant's agent described the extension as modest at around 50% of the outbuilding's size, the officer's assessment found that it did not constitute the provision of essential facilities as required by Planning Circular 3/89, and instead represented a further extension of the converted outbuilding beyond the scope of its original conversion. A similar application had already been refused in 2006. The committee refused the application in line with the officer's recommendation.
The extension failed to meet the policy test for converted rural buildings, which only permits modest extensions for essential facilities that cannot be provided within the existing building. The proposed additional habitable accommodation did not qualify as essential facilities and amounted to a further extension of the outbuilding beyond its original conversion, contrary to Planning Circular 3/89 and the countryside residential development policies in the Laxey and Lonan Area Plan.
Laxey and Lonan Area Plan Order 2005
presumption against residential development in the countryside
Planning Circular 3/89
the conversion of existing redundant buildings where such conversion complies with planning circular 3/89 - Renovation of Buildings in the Countryside. Alternatively the Department may accept the expansion of existing facilities which have shown a positive previous contribution to tourism in the area. However, no approval will be granted to any development which would result in an adverse impact on the countryside whether this be from visual intrusion, the impact of traffic or car parking or inadequate arrangements for the servicing of the development.
Planning Circular 1/88
general policy on residential development in the countryside
O THE VILLAGE SHALL CONTINUE TO BE PROTECTED FROM UNSYMPATHETIC DEVELOPMENT BY THE DESIGNATION OF THE AREA AS HIGH LANDSCAPE VALUE AND SCENIC SIGNIFICANCE AND BY THE APPLICATION OF PLANNING CIRCULARS 1/88, 3/88 AND 3/89 AND BY THE CONSIDERATION OF THE RELEVANT SECTOR PLANS B & E (PLANNING CIRCULARS 10/91 AND 11/91 RESPECTIVELY).
Condition 1
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Condition 2
This approval relates to drawing nos. SC793/P/10-02, SC793/P33, SC793/P/40, SC793/P/41 and SC793/P/42 date-stamped 2 March 2007.
Condition 3
The external finishes of the extension permitted by this approval must match those of the existing building.
Condition 4
The accommodation created by this approval shall not be used for any purpose other than as accommodation ancillary to The Old Vicarage.
Condition 5
At no time shall the curtilage of The Old Vicarage be subdivided in any way so as to provide a separate curtilage associated with the accommodation hereby approved.
