Proposed land drains (French drains) on the external perimeter of the Chapel of St. Nicholas and along the exterior of the west wall of the Wash House wing.

Why Was This Approved?

• ✓Bishopscourt is a registered building of the highest significance with medieval origins
• ✓Key concerns centred on potential harm to the building's special interest and impact on archaeology
• ✓Archaeological trial trenching was carried out during the application process
• ✓Proposals were revised on expert structural and archaeological advice, reducing ground levels rather than installing a conventional French drain
• ✓Amendments addressed heritage and archaeology concerns, leading to approval with three conditions
• ✓heritage
• ✓character
• ✓whether the proposals would affect detrimentally the building's special interest, its setting or and would affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or impact upon potential archaeology.
• ✓impact upon archaeology

The application sought approval for land drains (French drains) on the external perimeter of the Chapel of St. Nicholas and along the exterior of the west wall of the Wash House wing at Bishopscourt Mansion House, Kirk Michael. Bishopscourt is a registered building of the highest significance, with origins thought to date to the early 13th century and the oldest surviving fabric from the late 14th century. The key planning concerns were whether the drainage works would harm the building's special interest or setting, and whether they might affect potential archaeology. During the course of the application, archaeological trial trenching was carried out and the proposals were revised: rather than installing a French drain in the original form, the revised scheme proposed reducing ground levels to specific points around the chapel. These amendments, made on the advice of a structural engineer and following archaeological assessment, addressed the concerns raised.

The application was approved after the applicant revised the proposals in response to archaeological and structural concerns. Trial trenching was carried out and plans were amended on expert advice, which addressed the heritage and archaeology issues identified during assessment. Three conditions were attached to the permission.

Policies Assessed (1)

Conditions (3)

1. 1

   Condition 1

   The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.

2. 2

   Condition 2

   No development shall take place until the applicant has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation, which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department in consultation with Manx National Heritage. The programme of archaeological work shall be fully implemented in accordance with the approved written scheme of investigation.

3. 3

   Condition 3

   Prior to the commencement of any works hereby approved, an Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS), adhering to the recommendations of BS5837:2012 (Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction - recommendations), shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The AMS should address: - 1. Preparatory works for new landscaping - 2. How the project arboriculturist and/or construction manager will carry out arboricultural site monitoring, including a schedule of specific site events requiring input or inspection - 3. Post landscape maintenance The agreed protection measures and construction methods shall adhered to in full.

Planning History (8)

Documents (63 · 4 superseded)