19 August 2022 · Delegated
Land To Rear Bix House, Farmhill Lane, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 2eb
Permission was granted for the installation of a maintenance access gate on land to the rear of Bix House, Farmhill Lane, Douglas, Isle of Man. The site is an existing dwelling and its grounds within the wider Farmhill estate. The officer considered the proposal's impact on visual and neighbouring amenity, highway safety, and the quality of soft landscaping in the area. No harm was identified on any of these grounds, and the application was approved under delegated authority on 19 August 2022, subject to three conditions.
The application was approved by a delegated Principal Planner. The officer assessed the proposal against visual and neighbouring amenity impacts, highway safety, and the effect on soft landscaping, finding no harm in any of these areas.
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016
assessing the visual and amenity impacts, as well as any highway safety matters
General Policy 2: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; (j) can be provided with all necessary services; (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption. 6.3 Development outside of areas zoned for development
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
The access gates installed must open inwards into the site, and retained opening inwards thereafter.
Condition 3
The existing trees shall be retained in accordance with the approved details. Any retained tree which within five years of the approved development being completed (whichever is the later) dies, is removed or becomes seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced by a native species, of a light standard size or if an alternative size is first approved in writing by the Department, during the next planting season or in accordance with a programme of replacement to be agreed in writing with the Department.
