17 June 2011 · Delegated
Mill Kent, Bridge Road, Ballasalla, Isle Of Man, IM9 3dq
The proposal was to install solar panels across most of the south-facing roof pitch above the conservatory at Mill Kent, a large modern bungalow set within 3.2 acres of landscaped grounds in a Private Estate designation. Each panel measures 1.7m by 0.5m. The site sits within an area of low-density housing in parkland, and the trees on the property are treated as Registered by virtue of that designation. The key planning issue was whether the panels would cause any visual harm, particularly given the estate setting. The officer concluded they would not: the property is a modern building not readily visible to the public except from around 200 metres away, and the principle of renewable energy is supported by departmental policy.
The application was approved because the solar panels would be fixed to a modern property with very limited public visibility, and no adverse impact on the surrounding area was identified. The principle of renewable energy is supported by policy, and the proposal was found to comply with the draft Permitted Development Order 2005.
Strategic Plan
The Department is fully supportive of the need to secure greater efficiency
r Ancient Monuments, Regi stered Buildings and in Conservation Areas, the Department will, when suitable opportunities arise, seek to have overhead Low Tension power lines located underground. 12.2.8 The Department is fully supportive of the need to secure greater energy efficien cy in new and existing development and has recently introduced additional energy efficiency requirements in the Building Regulations 2003. Energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources are covered in General Policy 2(m) of the Building Regulat ions. At the same time the Department recognizes that renewable energy sources can have adverse environmental impacts. The idea of a wind turbine Installation is currently being investigated and considered by the Manx Electricity Authority. Any feasible site is likely to be exposed and have considerable visual impact. There may also be other impacts such as noise. On a smaller scale, the popularity of domestic wind turbines has been increasing in recent years in response to rising energy prices and increasing awareness of climate change. Planning applications for domestic wind turbines are unlikely to require the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment. The Department will assess any proposals for wind turbine installations by weighing the bene fits of using such renewable energy sources against the environmental impact arising in any particular site. It is likely that the visual impact would be less detrimental on a coastal site than on a rural or upland one. Accordingly:
