Installation of replacement door

Environment Policy 35

preserve the character and appearance of the area

Environment Policy 35: Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development. 7.30 Development adjacent to Conservation Areas 7.30.1 It is often the case that important views into and out of a Conservation Area can contribute significantly to its character. It is necessary to assess the impact any development adjacent to conservation areas may have on such views.

Section 18 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1999

he proposed level of development on the highway system. Essentially, the evidence demonstrated that the highway network could cope with the expected traffic growth up to 2026. The Strategic Links18 between the communities on the Island (the Centres referred to in the Spatial Strategy) are below. Strategic Link Roads in the East Highway Route A1 Douglas to Peel A2 Douglas to Laxey A2 Laxey to Ramsey A5 Douglas to Ballasalla A18 Douglas to Ramsey 17 Chapter 11, Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 18 Chapter 11, Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 Douglas, as the Main Centre, sits at the top of the hierarchy of service provision and is home to most of the Island's principal businesses and shops. More 'strategic links' converge on Douglas than anywhere else on the Island. The public transport network consists of buses and seasonal rail services. Lord Street currently serves as the main bus transfer hub although during the lifetime of the plan the creation of a bus station may need to be addressed. There is a short section of cycle route on Peel Road which is a strategic route i n from the South and West. Further opportunities are still under investigation and are likely to develop further alongside other measures as part of the delivery of the Active Travel Action Plan 19. The intention is to provide better and safer cycling and walking routes into and out of Douglas, better links between vehicular routes and off road routes with an overall policy goal of increasing the number of people travelling actively. The Area Plan fully supports the integration of the Active Travel Strategy into the sustainable development framework for the East. Particular Issues in the East Traffic Congestion and Road Junctions The Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 concluded that following junctions experience regular traffic congestion: • Quarterbridge Junction • Mountain Road/Governor's Road Junction • Glencrutchery Road/Victoria Road Junction The implications of adding the new housing units needed in the East to the road network during the plan period are set out in the Strategic Plan (see below): i. the Strategic Links are, and should, continue to operate within their 3,060 vehicles per hour capacity for the duration of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (up to 2026); ii. the Quarterbridge and Governors Hill junctions will continue to operate at greater than 85% capacity and the increased traffic flows predicted in all the assessments will increase congestion at these locations; and iii. traffic flows at the Parliament Square junction in Ramsey, Ballacraine junction, and Main Road junction at Onchan are all set to incr ease by 2026 which will increase congestion at these locations. Outside of the East Plan area, sensitivity tests were undertaken in the Strategic Plan based on the planned level of development from 2011 to 2026. These concluded that: i. on the Ballacraine to Ramsey Strategic Link, there was no requirement to undertake further traffic congestion investigation work in rural village locations such as Kirk Michael; and ii. on the Castletown to Ballasalla and Ballasalla to Douglas links there would be the requirement for traffic congestion investigation work in Ballasalla in 2026. 19 GD 0043/18 Active Travel Strategy 2018 - 2021 From the outset of the preparation of this Plan, it has been acknowledged that the Onchan Main Road traffic signals would require further assessment. This would ensure that the junctions woul d not be subject to a high level of congestion as a resu lt of additional development. This was just one reason for carrying out detailed scenario testing work looking at different ways of spreading development across the settlements in the East. Network Capacity Issues - Roads and Utilities During the early stages of the Plan, work was undertaken to help understand both the infrastructure and environmental implications of different growth distribution patterns within the East. The servicing of Baldrine and Laxey for sewer and mains water supply were identified as matters of concern and limitation in capacity. This arises both from advice from the servicing Authority, Manx Utilities, and consideration of the public consultation respo nses. Levels of development in those two locations in terms of how they may or may not be able to be serviced and the timeframes involved were visited and re-visited throughout the plan stages and the Public Inquiry. In terms of i dentifying and addressing network capacity, new development requires water and sewer services, electricity, telecommunications and legal access connection to the road network. These are reasonable expectations of modern society and ensure a basis of healthy and connected communities for all. All sites identified can in principle be adequately serviced. Some sites will have to address specific issues set out in Development Briefs. Judgements will always be made at the planning application stage as to what

Strategic Policy 1

needs for access, use of local materials, protect or enhance Registered Buildings and Conservation Areas and make positive contribution

Strategic Policy 1: Development should make the best use of resources by: (a) optimising the use of previously developed land, redundant buildings, unused and under -used land and buildings, and re - using scarce indigenous building materials; (b) ensuring efficient use of sites, taking into account the needs for access, landscaping, open space (1) and amenity standards; and (c) being located so as to utilise existing and planned infrastructure, facilities and services. 4.2.2 In pursuance of (c) abo ve, the Department will, when formulating its programme for the preparation of new Area Plans, have particular regard to: (a) the availability of mains drainage connected to IRIS or other mains systems; (b) securing the future viability of rural primary schools; (c) the public investment in the Island's highway, bus, railway and tramway networks; (d) the provision and availability of water; and (e) community facilities. 4.3 Environment 4.3.1

General Policy 2

general standards towards acceptable development including highway safety

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

Environment Policy 34

use of traditional materials, preserve or enhance a conservation area

Environment Policy 34: In the maintenance, alteration or extension of pre -1920 buildings, the use of traditional materials will be preferred. 7.29 Development within Conservation Areas 7.29.1 Conservation Areas are designated where the Department is satisfied that there is an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Accordingly, the Department will; i. appraise and review existing Conservation Areas; and ii. designate new Conservation Areas where Conservation Area appraisals have revealed individual areas to be worthy of such status. 7.29.2 Development proposals within Conservation Areas will be expected either to preserve or enhance their character or appearanc e. Development proposals should be in accordance with the Department's conservation policies set out in Planning Policy Statement 1/01, "Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man." There is generally gra nt assistance available to help in the use of appropriate materials and positive and appropriate development within Conservation Areas.

Environment Policy 42

promotes development taking account of locality in design

pment. 8.13.2 The extent of formal open space with in settlement boundaries in the South is identified on the Proposals Map (Map 3) and Inset Maps (Maps 4-7). The Isle of Man Strategic Plan (Environment Policy 42) seeks to protect these open spaces and indicates that: 8.13.3 "Inappropriate backland development, and the removal of open or green spaces which contribute to the visual amenity and sense of place of a partic ular area will not be permitted.''

Community Policy 7

prevent criminal activity and reduce spread of fire

Community Policy 7: The design of new development and the extension and refurbishment of existing buildings and development must, as far as is reasonably practical, pay due regard to existing best practice so as to help prevent criminal and anti-social behaviour. 10.12.2 The Isle of Man Constabulary has suggested that neighbourhood police stations, where the public can meet police officers, are needed to improve community safety. In the majority of cases these will need to be provided within existin g communities as opportunities arise. Consideration should be given to incorporating such facilities in larger new developments in association with other community facilities.

Infrastructure Policy 5

conserve the Island's water

, if it can be demonstrated that development there would not result in an incursion into the countryside. However there is no corresponding proposal for residential areas. Proposed Change 75 (in PIP5) now indicates that appropriate colour washes should be applied to the Proposals Map, to show the Mount Murray and Braddan Hills areas as 'Predominantly Residential'; and the Snugborough Estate as 'Industrial'. I agree with this. I also recommend that the whole of the waste management area at Richmond Hill should be similarly delineated and washed over as a site for 'Special Industry' (as defined in paragraph 9.2.3 of the Strategic Plan). CHAPTER 4 - LANDSCAPE Landscape Character Areas and Areas of High Landscape Value 25 Chapter 4 of the draft Area Plan is headed 'Landscape - Character and Appearance'. It draws on a Landscape Character Assessment Report which was prepared for the Government by consultants in 2005. The report describes the qualities of a series of Landscape Character Areas, and identifies landscape features that are worthy of protection. It excludes consideration of the urban areas of Douglas and Onchan. 26 Landscape Proposal 1 of the Area Plan states that the broad landscape strategies and key views for each Character Area are to be regarded as policy statements on matters of landscape in the East. Applicants for planning approval must demonstrate that consideration has been given to these strategies and key views. Twenty different Character Areas are identified. The key strategy for each of them is to 'conserve' (or 'conserve and enhance') the 'character, quality and distinctiveness' of the area; and of certain specified landscape features. During the inquiry, a number of objectors to proposed land allocations argued that this policy of landscape conservation should outweigh other considerations which might tell in favour of development. In my view, if landscape policy fails to distinguish between areas of outstanding beauty or cultural interest on the one hand, and less sensitive areas of countryside on the other, it may become increasingly difficult to find sites for essential development. 27 The approach set out in the Area Plan is intended to replace a landscape policy which has been in place since 1982, and is encapsulated in Environment Policy 2 of the present Strategic Plan. That policy identifies Areas of High Landscape or Coastal Value and Scenic Significance (AHLV). Within each AHLV the protection of the character of the landscape is normally the most important consideration for development control purposes. By implication, outside of AHLVs, other factors can be given relatively greater importance. I consider this to be a useful policy tool, in so far as it identifies those areas which can best absorb necessary development without harming the most sensitive landscapes. A similar policy applies in England, where the protection of the landscape is given priority in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The general extent of AHLVs is shown in the Strategic Plan's Key Diagram. 28 Some necessary development will inevitably change and possibly detract from the character of the landscape. Examples might include the extraction and processing of minerals, the management of waste, the generation and transmission of electricity, the construction of roads, or the erection of factories and houses. In my view, it is important that landscape policy should provide guidance as to where such development might best be absorbed into the landscape with minimum harm. 29 Accordingly, it seems to me that consideration should be given to the continued designation of Areas of High Landscape Value in the Area Plan, and that priority should be given to the protection of the landscape in those areas. The Area Plan should define the precise boundaries of the AHLV. ( I note that the rural areas of both Braddan and Onchan are currently covered by a blanket AHLV designation, which may be difficult to justify). I am aware that development control officers find the descriptive material set out for each Landscape Character Area in the draft Area Plan to be useful. I see no reason why the material in question should not be retained in the Area Plan, alongside AHLV. 30 I recommend that consideration be given to the designation, in the Area Plan, of Areas of High Landscape Value, with precise and justified boundaries. Environment Policy 2 of the Strategic Plan would continue to apply within such areas. Effect of Proposed Development on the Landscape North of Douglas and Onchan 31 Miss P Newton and Dr K Kilmurry each referred to the potential impact of proposed development of sites on the northern edge of Douglas and Onchan, referring particularly to the adverse effect of building on the skyline, and the need for an overall scheme of landscaping. I consider it important that development briefs for the sites in question should make provision for the preparation of masterplans which would include comprehensive landscaping schemes. Details of these would