20 January 2009 · Delegated
Outbuildings, Harold Tower, Fort Anne Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 5bn
Permission was granted for the erection of a detached dwelling and garden store at the outbuildings of Harold Tower, Fort Anne Road, Douglas. The proposal comprised amendments to an earlier planning permission (08/00660/B), differing from it in external appearance, size, and height. The site sits within the residential curtilage of Harold Tower, a Registered Building, in an area zoned as Predominantly Residential under the Douglas Local Plan 1998. The officer assessed whether the development was compatible with the land use designation, whether it would harm the setting of the Registered Building, and its visual impact on the locality. The application was approved on 20 January 2009 under delegated authority, with four conditions attached.
The application was approved by the Acting Senior Planning Officer under delegated authority. The key planning issues considered were whether the new dwelling was compatible with the predominantly residential land use, whether it would harm the setting of Harold Tower as a Registered Building, and its visual impact on the surrounding area.
Development of land which is zoned for residential development must be undertaken in accordance with the brief in the relevant area plan, or, in the absence of a brief, in accordance with criteria in paragraph 6.2 of this plan. Briefs will encourage good and innovative design, and will not be needlessly prescriptive.
Within the adopted Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
Housing Policy 6: Development of land which is zoned for residential development must be undertaken in accordance with the brief in the relevant area plan, or, in the absence of a brief, in accordance with the criteria in paragraph 6.2 of this Plan. Briefs will encourage good and innovative design, and will not be needlessly prescriptive. 8.8 Groups of Houses in the Countryside 8.8.1 There are in the countryside man y small groups of dwellings which, whilst not having the character of, or the full range of services usually provided in a village, nevertheless have a sense of place and community. These groups are found variously at crossroads, in places sheltered by trees or topography or around chapels, abandoned mills or smithys. 8.8.2 Adding further dwellings to these groups may not accord with our strategic objectives relating to settlements and sustainability but may assist in meeting the need of rural areas; may maintain social and family associations and assist in sustaining the rural economy; and may reduce the pressure for purely sporadic and isolated development which the Department would not support. Such additions would also need to be sensitively related to the existing settlement pattern and the landscape. 8.8.3 In the most recent local and Area Plans, the Department has in fact identified a number of these opportunities and in future Area Plans all groups of houses in the countryside will be assessed for d evelopment potential by identifying the village envelope or curtilage and providing the opportunity for appropriate development within this area. There may be some settlements where no additional dwellings will be permitted. In considering the definition o f this curtilage or envelope, particular regard will be had to the value of existing spaces in terms of their contribution to the general character of the settlement or to public amenity more generally. It is important, however that such development is controlled by the development plan process rather than as ad hoc decisions taken in isolation. 8.9 New Agricultural Dwellings 8.9.1 As is indicated in Chapter 7 (at Section 7.14), permission will not be granted for new agricultural dwellings in the countryside unless there is real agricultural need demonstrated sufficient to off-set the general planning objections to new dwellings in the countryside. 8.9.2 Agricultural need should be established having regard to: (a) what living accommodation has been built on, or in association with the farm holding in the past, and how it is now occupied; and (b) who will occupy the proposed dwelling, and what role they will play in the operation of the farm; in some circumstances, there will be a legitimate need for a dwelling for a retiring farmer who proposes to vacate the farmhouse but to continue to assist on the farm.
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 erection of detached dwelling and garden store as shown in drawing numbers 11, 592/010, 592/011 and 592/012 date stamped 15th October 2008.
Condition 3
The dwelling shall only be used as staff accommodation in association with Harold Tower.
Condition 4
The roof(s) must be finished in dark natural slate.