13 October 2008 · Delegated
Cumbrae, Athol Park, Port Erin, Isle Of Man, IM9 6ex
The application sought permission to install a solar collector, measuring 1.2m by 1.8m, on the rear roof pitch of a property in the centre of a terrace of tall Victorian buildings overlooking Athol Glen. The rear of the site faces a cul-de-sac lane with garaging behind, and the rear roof outlet sits slightly lower than the main ridge. The key planning issue was visual impact. The officer concluded that the collector would not generally be visible except from a greater distance, and even then it would appear among an existing roofscape of chimneys and rooflights, making it effectively indistinguishable. The proposal was also found to comply with Strategic Plan paragraph 12.2.8, which supports the development of renewable energy sources.
The application was permitted because the solar collector would have minimal visual impact, being largely hidden by the existing roofscape of chimneys and rooflights when seen from any distance. It also aligned with policy supporting renewable energy development.
Strategic Plan
supports the development of renewable energy sources
r Ancient Monuments, Regi stered Buildings and in Conservation Areas, the Department will, when suitable opportunities arise, seek to have overhead Low Tension power lines located underground. 12.2.8 The Department is fully supportive of the need to secure greater energy efficien cy in new and existing development and has recently introduced additional energy efficiency requirements in the Building Regulations 2003. Energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources are covered in General Policy 2(m) of the Building Regulat ions. At the same time the Department recognizes that renewable energy sources can have adverse environmental impacts. The idea of a wind turbine Installation is currently being investigated and considered by the Manx Electricity Authority. Any feasible site is likely to be exposed and have considerable visual impact. There may also be other impacts such as noise. On a smaller scale, the popularity of domestic wind turbines has been increasing in recent years in response to rising energy prices and increasing awareness of climate change. Planning applications for domestic wind turbines are unlikely to require the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment. The Department will assess any proposals for wind turbine installations by weighing the bene fits of using such renewable energy sources against the environmental impact arising in any particular site. It is likely that the visual impact would be less detrimental on a coastal site than on a rural or upland one. Accordingly:
Condition 1
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Condition 2
This permission relates to the installation of a solar collector as shown and described in the information and plans all received on 26th August, 2008.
