30 September 2008 · Committee
Lambfell Beg, Cronk Y Voddy, St. Johns, Isle Of Man, IM4 3ns
The proposal involved demolishing an existing stable block at the southern end of the residential curtilage of Lambfell Beg, a rural property on the western side of the A3 road, and replacing it with a two-car garage and an office/study for the applicant's personal use. The new building was designed with a traditional appearance — slate roof, rendered walls, and traditionally proportioned windows and doors — with the west elevation facing the A3. The site sits within an area of High Landscape or Coastal Value and Scenic Significance, meaning it falls outside zones where development is normally permitted under General Policy 3 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007. The key planning issues were whether the replacement building was acceptable in this sensitive rural location and whether the proposed study use was compatible with policy on office activity. A landscaping condition was imposed requiring a planting scheme to screen the site from the A3, addressing the landscape impact. The Planning Committee, following the officer's recommendation to approve, permitted the development subject to six conditions.
The committee judged that replacing the existing stable block with a garage and personal study was acceptable in this rural location, with the traditional design and materials helping to limit visual impact. A landscaping condition requiring screening from the A3 was attached to address the site's sensitive landscape setting. The study was treated as personal home-working rather than a commercial office use, consistent with the policy recognition that working from home without staff or regular callers can be acceptable outside town centres.
new office floor space should be located in town and village centres
general rule that office activity will be located in our town centres
Business Policy 7: New office floor space should be located within town and village centres on land which is zoned for the purpose on the appropriate area plan; exceptionally, permission may be given for new office space (a) on approved Business Parks for Corporate Headquarters which do not involve day to day callers; or (b) in buildings of acknowledged architectural or historic interest for which office use represents the only or most appropriate practicable and economic way of securing future use, renovation and maintenance.
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 the erection of a garage and study at Lambfell Beg, Cronk $Y$ Voddy, St Johns as shown by the plans and information Location Plan, 2.7137-201-00, 2.7137-204-00 and 8TS004-01 submitted and date stamped 23rd May 2008.
Condition 3
The approved garage with study shall remain ancillary to the use and enjoyment of the property Lambfell Beg as shown on the Location Plan submitted and date stamped 23rd May 2008.
Condition 4
The garage and study hereby permitted may be used only for office purposes by persons residing at the property Lambfell Beg.
Condition 5
The roof must be finished in dark natural slate.
Condition 6
No development may commence until there has been approved by the Planning Authority a scheme of landscaping which includes indications of all existing trees and hedges within the site and details of any to be retained together with measures for their protection during the course of construction. The planting scheme should provide screening of the site as viewed from the A3 in order to reduce the impact of the approved building. All planting, seeding or turfing comprised in the approved details of landscaping must be carried out in the first planting and seeding seasons following the completion of the development. Any trees or plants which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased must be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species.
