26 January 2023 · Delegated
Langdale House, Lower Dukes Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 4bq
Permission was granted for a series of alterations to Langdale House, a two-storey detached property set within its own grounds on the northern side of Lower Dukes Road, Douglas. The works proposed were: replacing the garage door with a wall and window, installing replacement doors and windows throughout, rebuilding the bay window on the front elevation, and re-rendering the exterior of the dwelling. The officer report noted that the house is largely masked from the road by the boundary wall and landscaping. The main planning considerations were the effect of the changes on the character of the dwelling itself and on the amenity of neighbouring residents and the character of the surrounding townscape. The application was approved by delegated decision on 26 January 2023, subject to one condition.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 26 January 2023. The key planning considerations were the impact on the character of the dwelling and the effect on the amenity of nearby residents and the wider townscape. The proposal was found acceptable against those tests.
General Policy 2
meets the tests within General Policy 2
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
Strategic Policy 4
Strategic Policy 4: Proposals for development must: (a) Protect or enhance the fabric and setting of Ancient Monuments, Registered Buildings (1), Conservation Areas (2), buildings and structures within National Heritage Areas and sites of archaeological interest; (b) protect or enhance the landscape quality and nature conservation value of urban as well as rural areas but especially in respect to development adjacent to Areas of Special Scientific Interest and other designations; and (c) not cause or lead to unacceptable environmental pollution or disturbance. 4.3.8 The design of new development can make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the Island. Recent development has often been criticised for its similarity to developments across the Island and elsewhere - "anywhere" architecture. At the same time some criticise current practice to retain traditional or vernacular designs. As is often the case the truth lies somewhere between the two extremes. All too often proposals for new developments have not taken into account a proper analysis of their context in terms of siting, layout, scale, materials and other factors. At the same time a slavish following of past design idioms, evolved for earlier lifestyles can produce buildings which do not reflect twenty first century lifestyles including accessibility and energy conservation. While there is often a consensus about what constitutes good and poor design, it is notoriously difficult to define or prescribe. 4.3.9 The Department recognises the need to raise the quality of the Island's architecture and built environment and is pursuing this through the development control process and the commissioning of its own schemes and environmental improvements. At the same ti me it appreciates that the debate about good design needs to be broadened to include those who design, construct and finance new development and the wider community as we are all affected by the end product. To this end it welcomes the Isle of Man Arts Co uncil's National Arts Development Strategy 2005 - 2014 which has as one of its objectives, to raise the quality of the Island's architecture and built environment by encouraging debate on architectural standards, town and country planning, urban regenerati on and public art. This Strategy recognises that debate will have to take place over time. 4.3.10 In the meantime, the Department considers that, while there are a number of policies in the Strategic Plan which cover various elements of the design of new development e.g. General Policy 2 (a) -(i), ( m) and (n), and various Housing policies, there is a need for a further statement on the need to secure quality in the design of new development. In the preparation of Area Plans the Department will include development briefs that set out design principles for significant sites including new residential areas. Subsequent planning applications will be required to be accompanied by a Design Statement setting out the way in which the proposal has been designed to take into account its context and how the design principles have been developed. 4.3.11 At the same time as wishing to promote good design in new development the Department recognises that there are an increasing number of alternative styles of housing which draw their design principles from the wish to promote sustainability and energy efficiency. Many of these can be incorporated into both modern and traditional designs but in some cases they produce a completely different structure or form of buildings, for exa mple underground (1)Registered Building is defined in Appendix 1 (2) Conservation Area is defined in Appendix 1 housing. While wishing to conserve the historic landscape of the Island the Department welcomes new styles of housing as long as they take into account the landscape context and the impact on the amenities of the area in which they are si ted. Merely arguing that a new building cannot be seen in public views is not a justification for the relaxation of other policies relating to the location of new development.
Strategic Policy 12
Other policies within the Strategic Plan which are considered relevant
Strategic Policy 12: Favourable consideration will generally be given to proposals for improving the quality and condition of the existing housing stock and for the creation of flats by conversion of redundant boarding houses, and vacant or under -used space above commercial premises subject to compliance with detailed standards (see section 8.13). CHAPTER 5 ISLAND SPATIAL STRATEGY 5.1 Implementation of the Government's core purpose "to maintain and build on the high quality of life enjoyed by the Island's community" as set out in Chapter 2 requires many policy measures including, from the Department, a new Development Plan with this Strategic Plan as the over arching policy framework. To guide the physical development of the Island up to 2016 requires an Island Spat ial Strategy (ISS) (1). The ISS provides a framework for strategic choices in relation to development and infrastructure investment. It will also assist private sector investment decisions. It provides a degree of continuity with existing policy but sets new directions to achieve a more sustainable pattern of development in the interests of future generations. It will also assist in the setting of priorities for future investment. 5.2 The starting point of any spatial strategy has to be a review of the e xisting settlement and development pattern of the Island. The very fact that we are an Island nation sets us apart from most of the regions of the British Isles which share physical boundaries with other regions and jurisdictions. The Island comprises a number of distinctive areas which have evolved from the natural landscape and the settlement of the Island. Generally, each area is based on a principal town which supports a range of employment and service provision serving a rural catchment area including smaller villages or hamlets. 5.3 The four areas are: Douglas and the East. Focused on Douglas (population 26,000 (2)) the wider area encompasses Douglas, Onchan, Braddan, Marown, Santon, Laxey and Lonan with a total population of 45,000 comprising over 55% of the Island's population. At the time of the 2001 Census some 23,000 (nearly 60%) of the Island's 39,000 employed population worked in Douglas. A further 2200 (5.7%) worked in Braddan and some 1400 (3.6%) in Onchan. Ramsey and the North. Focused on Ramsey (population 7,300) the rural catchment area encompasses Andreas, Ballaugh, Bride, Jurby, Lezayre and Maughold with a combined population of just under 13,000. In 2001 nearly 2500 (6.4%) of the employed population worked in Ramsey. Peel and the West. Focused on Peel (population 4,200) the rural catchment area encompasses Patrick, German and Michael which, although including the villages of St John's, Kirk Michael, Dalby, Glen Maye and Foxdale, only creates a combined population of some 8,200. In 2001 just over 1000 (2.7%) of the employed population worked in Peel. The South. This is made up of a network of settlements, with Castletown, Port Erin and Port St Mary having populations of between 2,000 and 3,500 and Ballasalla, Colby and Ballabeg, giving a total population of some 14,200. Castletown provides the major business centre and the Ballasalla Industrial Area, the Airport and Freeport is one of the major strategic employment centres for the Island. (1) Island Spatial Strategy is defined in Appendix 1 (2) Isle of Man 2006 Census In 2001 some 2300 (6.1%) of the employ ed population worked in Malew. Some 1400 (2.7%) worked in Castletown. 5.4 This area framework is supported by a strategic transport network which comprises a radial pattern of roads converging on Douglas with links between the main towns and villages around the coast. 5.5 Thus the current spatial framework is characterised by four areas each with a main centre or, in the case of the south, a series of smaller centres, with the strategic transport network providing the links between all parts of the Island. These form a family of settlements which provide a hierarchy of employment and service centres across the Island. The size of some of these settlements presents challenges in terms of maintaining the current level of services in the future. Over the years this area framework has been supported by Government in terms of public service provision of education, healthcare and leisure. Area Plans for each of the four defined areas will be prepared during the next 4 to 5 years. 5.6 The Consultation Draft ( 2000) introduced the concept of a new settlement as a means of accommodating new housing provision but this idea was rejected by the Department in the Draft Strategic Plan (2001) in favour of a policy of containment around existing urban areas (see Appendix 3 ). The Strategic Aim, Objectives and Policies provide the framework to develop the existing spatial framework into a Spatial Strategy. Spatial Vision 5.7 The Strategic Objectives and Strategic Policies direct that the focus of new development should be within existing towns and villages or in sustainable urban extensions, avoiding coalescence of settlements and maintaining their local identity. This translates into a Spatial Vision that by 2016 the Island's communities will have become more sustai nable, prosperous, safe, healthy and vibrant. People from all sections of society will have been provided with better access to a range and choice of homes, jobs and services. This will have been achieved in ways that reduce the impact of society on the environment, improve the quality of design and the built environment and enhance the Island's natural environment and heritage assets. 5.8 In order to achieve this 'Spatial Vision', a framework is required as part of the Island Spatial Strategy for the future development of the Island based on service CENTRES, key transport LINKS and the main GATEWAYS of ports and Ronaldsway Airport (see Key Diagram). The CENTRES comprise a hierarchy of service provision with Douglas, the capital of the Island, seat of Government and headquarters for most of the Island principal businesses and retail stores, as the MAIN CENTRE. Ramsey, Peel, Onchan, Castletown and Port Erin act as SERVICE CENTRES for their respective hinterlands. Below these are a series of SERVICE VILLAGES made up of Laxey, Jurby, Andreas, Kirk Michael, St Johns, Foxdale, Port St Mary, Ballasalla and Union Mills. Finally, there are a number of smaller settlements with little or no service provision which rely on the other centres for various services. These comprise: Bride Glen Maye Sulby Dalby Ballaugh Ballafesson Glen Mona Colby Baldrine Ballabeg Crosby Newtown Glen Vine Strang The only major employment area outside the CENTRES is that based on the Ronaldsway and Ballasalla Industrial Estates and the Freeport but these are adjacent to Ballasalla and Castletown. The aim of the CENTRES, LINKS and GATEWAY approach is to give a strategic focus to future development and achieve balanced growth on the Island by developing: the key transport links as the skeletal framework for future physical development and the primary links to and between the gateway ports and the airport; a compact and dynamic eastern area centred on Douglas, the major gateway and the focus of the strategic transport network; area service centres in the north and west based on Ramsey and Peel using regeneration opportunities to strengthen their employment and service base; and a network of local centres in the south with new development focused on the regeneration of existing centres but recognising the growth potential around Ballasalla and the Airport Gateway. 5.9 In the Douglas and the East Area the focus of development will continue to be in and around D
Infrastructure Policy 5
comply with Infrastructure Policy 5
Community Policy 7
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.
Community Policy 10
Community Policy 10: Proposals for the layout and development of land will be permitted only where there is provided proper access for fire -fighting vehicles and adequate supplies of water for fire-fighting purposes. 10.13.3 Fire prevention can be improved via the development control processes, and the Department has for many years welcomed input to these processes from the Fire Safety Department. Accordingly,
Community Policy 11
Community Policy 11: The design and use of all new buildings and of extensions to existing buildings must, as far as is reasonable and practicable, pay due regard to best practice such as to prevent the outbreak and spread of fire. CHAPTER 11 TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES CONTENTS 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Public Transport 11.3 Highways and Traffic 11.4 Pedestrians 11.5 Car Parking 11.6 Airports and Airfields 11.7 Harbours 11.8 Drainage 11.9 Communications 11.10 Water Supply and Water Conservation CHAPTER 11 TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES 11.1 Introduction 11.1.1 Chapter 2 sets out the Government's Core Purpose and Aims and the Department's Strategic Aim. These policies include in particular the Core Purpose "To maintain and build on the high quality of life enjoyed by the Island's Community." and the aim "To protect and improve the quality of the environment." 11.1.2 The S trategic Objectives in Chapter 3 make reference to the need to develop a more integrated transport strategy which balances the growth in car usage with the promotion of more sustainable alternatives. 11.1.3 In land use planning terms this translates into a more sustainable pattern of development concentrating development in and around existing settlements. Modern society has become increasingly reliant on the private motor vehicle and derives benefits from it. But there is a price to be paid in terms of congestion, air pollution and noise and visual impact. At the same time the environment of the Island and our towns and settlements has evolved over many hundreds of years and in many cases is not capable of adapting to the further pressures of car access and usage without adverse impacts on the environment. 11.1.4 To balance these conflicting needs it is considered that a more integrated transport network needs to be developed to balance the growth in car usage with improvements to other more sustainable alternatives. Over time we need to move to a situation where those who need to travel can do so in a range of different ways wherever this is reasonable and practicable. To this end the Department of Tourism and Leisure considers that a significant cont ribution to maximize the utilization of existing Public Transport would be made if businesses and schools were encouraged to stagger the start and end of working days. The Department of Transport confirm that the staggering of school start times would also maximise the use of existing transport infrastructure both of highways and the bus fleet. The Department of Transport is jointly progressing, with the Department of Education, the concept of School Travel Plans, with the aim of reducing car journeys to and from schools. 11.1.5 Because of the critical link between the land use planning policies of the Development Plan and the transport policies of the Government it is considered essential to develop an Integrated Transport Strategy which will link these two activities which are so critical to developing more sustainable development. 11.1.6 The Government Plan has, within the Sound Infrastructure Aim, the objective "To promote an integrated transport strategy to meet the needs of the local community and visitors". 11.1.7 In 2006, the Department commissioned a Transport Study by consultants 'JMP' to study the effect of development on the highway system. This allowed the proposed Transport Policies to be assessed in the light of up to date surveys and analysis. A further transport assessment consisting of traffic surveys on the Strategic Links, has now been undertaken (2014) to ascertain the current traffic flows and the implications of traffic growth up to 2026. 11.1.8 The original JMP Report (published 2007) identified: The main Strategic Links between the communities on the Island (the Centres referred to in the Spatial Strategy); The status of those Links in terms of condition, capacity, congestion etc.; and The expected impacts of the level of development proposed in the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007. 11.1.9 The original Report (2007) identified the Strategic Links in the list below. The 2014 transport assessment which examined up to date traffic data made no change to this list: A1 Douglas - Peel A2 Douglas - Laxey A2 Laxey - Ramsey A3 Castletown - St Johns A3/A4 Peel - Ramsey A5 Douglas - Ballasalla A5 Ballasalla - Castletown A5 Castletown - Port St Mary - Port Erin A18 Douglas - Ramsey 11.1.10 The original JMP Report (2007) identified that the following junctions experienc ed regular traffic congestion: Quarterbridge Mountain Road/Governors Road Glencrutchery Road/Victoria Road 11.1.11 Taking into account the proposed level of new development identified in the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007, the JMP Report concluded that the following junctions would suffer more congestion: Quarterbridge Mountain Road/Governors Road Glencrutchery Road/Victoria Road A5/A7 junction Ballasalla Parliament Square Ramsey 11.1.12 The 2014 transport assessment took into account the proposed level and location of new housing development up to 2026 and concluded that: the Strategic Links are, and should, continue to operate within their 3,060 vehicles per hour capacity for the duration of the revised Isle of Man Strategic Plan ( up to 2026); following sensitivity tests on the Ballacraine to Ramsey Strategic Link, there is no requirement to undertake further traffic congestion investigation work in rural village locations such as Kirk Michael; following sensitivity tests, the Castletown to Ballasalla and Ballasalla to Douglas links highlight the requirement for traffic congestion investigation work in Ballasalla in 2026; the Quarterbridge and Governors Hill junctions 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 traffic flows at the Parliament Square junction in Ramsey, Ball acraine junction, and Main Road junction at Onchan are all set to increase by 2026 which will increase congestion at these locations. 11.1.13 An evaluation of this data indicates the increase in traffic flow at Parliament Street in Ramsey can be accommodated by the minor improvement works to increase capacity at this location in 2009. However, the Ballacraine and Onchan Main Road traffic signals will require further assessment during the development of the Area Plans for the West and East of the Island respectively to ensure these junctions do not become subject to a high level of congestion. 11.1.14 As the Isle of Man Strategic Plan is a document for the whole Island and does not include site specific proposals it is not considered either appropriate or necessary to include policies or proposals in respect of the specific traffic schemes. However, the Area Plans will need to consider both the implications of these schemes and the need for any localised improvements arising from any site specific proposals for new development. 11.1.15 Considering the outcome of the 2007 JMP Report, as well as the latest transport assessment 2014 which examined both the whole strategic route network as well as the local strategic route network, it is judged that the Policies in this Chapter remain appropriate. 11.2 Public Transport 11.2.1 It is considered that in order to support the environmental objectives of this plan the use of public transport as an alternative to the private car should be encouraged. Whilst many of the measures designed to improve public transport systems are not lik ely to involve the planning process, the enhancement of public transport infrastructure - for example
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.