Planning Justification Statement

Planning and Building Control Directorate Department of Environment Food and Agriculture

First Floor

Murray House

Mount Havelock

Douglas

Isle of Man

IM1 2SF

14 July 2020

Dear Planning and Building Control Directorate

Planning Application dated ~~21 June 2020~~, 2 The Lhargan, Port St Mary, IM9 5AR

Introduction

1. We enclose a completed Form PA20.2 applying for planning approval for the replacement of two rear facing windows, a side facing window and a side facing door at our property of The Lhargan, Port St Mary, IM9 5AR (“the Property”) (“the Application”).

1. We understand the Property was constructed in the 1830s. Therefore, the Application is made noting Categories (C) and (D) of Planning Circular 1/98, the terms of Class 24 of SD No. 0254/2012 and that the Property is located in a ‘Proposed Conservation Area’ pursuant to the Area Plan for the South.

The Catalyst for the Application

1. In 2019 we embarked upon a project to enable the Property to become more efficient, reduce our energy consumption and decrease our carbon emissions. We decided that the most immediate positive impact we could have as a household would be to replace our oil heating system with a lower emission alternative. We note that our approach has subsequently been validated in Professor Curran’s Impact Report (GD 2019/0102) and we refer in particular to page 27 thereof: “Energy use in buildings is the single biggest contributor to IoM territorial carbon emissions amount to 35% of the total; space heating by appliances that burn fossil fuels is overwhelmingly the largest single contributor”.

1. The first step we undertook was to instruct a series of surveys of the Property, in particular an air tightness test and a heat loss test. In view of the results thereof we identified that we could replace our existing oil heating system with an electrified air source heat pump ("the Heat Pump") but would first need to undertake a catalogue of remedial works to ensure the sufficient air tightness and heat loss standards for the Heat Pump to perform with efficacy. We commenced work on retro-fitting the Property whilst awaiting the planning permission decision for the Heat Pump. Following the granting of planning permission and the completion of the re-insulating and insulating of large tracts of the Property, the replacement of almost all the radiators in the Property and air tightness remedial works, the Heat Pump was fitted in March 2020.

1. The surveys undertaken mentioned two of the windows at the rear of the property along with the side door, as ineffectively insulating the Property and inadequately providing air tightness to the rooms they curtailed, in particular one of the windows and the side door had rotting / warped frames. We have also identified a side window adjacent to the side door that we also wish to upgrade to support / effect greater standards of air tightness and heat loss in the Property.

1. Permission for the replacement windows and side door applied for in the Application will be fundamental to the efficacious application of the Heat Pump for space heating in the Property. We are of the view that this work will be in compliance with the following provisions of the Strategic Plan 2016: 5(i) "Aim: To protect and improve the quality of the environment." (Aims of the Strategic Plan, Page 9); 5(ii) "(g) To minimize environmental pollution to air, water and land." (Strategic Objectives, Page 11).

The Application

1. We propose to fit good quality double glazed uPVC windows and door, keeping air loss to a minimum and also allowing for adequate heat retention for the Heat Pump to be as effective as possible. The two rear facing windows are not visible from the Lhargan road or directly from any other property. The side door and side window look onto our hard surface / driveway where our car is parked (see relevant picture for an illustration thereof). This area is abutted by a garage. There is only partial visibility of the side door and side window from the road.

1. We propose to replicate the style of the windows that are currently fitted on the property, however we will choose to replace with uPVC rather than wood to avoid rot. Examples of the style of window and door are as indicated in images (G) and (H) enclosed hereto, however the door will be full glass, as is the style of the existing door.

1. We have enclosed a number of images that illustrate: (a) the style proposed to be used at the Property; and, (b) the existing windows and door.

1. The enclosed photographs are identified by the following letters: -

A. Image indicating the larger of the rear windows. B. Image indicating the smaller of the rear windows. C. Image indicating the side window and side door as viewed from the Lhargan road. D. Closer image indicating the side window. E. Further close image indicating the side window from a different angle. F. Full forward view of the side door. G. Representation provided to us by our proposed contractor illustrating the style / type of window that we are proposing to fit. H. Representation provided to us by our proposed contractor illustrating the style / type of door that we are proposing to fit. I. Scale drawings of two rear windows and door being replaced. J. Scale drawings of side window being replaced.

1. Additionally, we have enclosed the area plan of the Property.

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