Planning Report and Recommendations

Considerations {{table:53659}} {{table:53657}} ### Written Representations None received at time of drafting report ### Consultations {{table:53658}}

Officer's Report

SITE:

The property is The Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Maughold, Ramsey is a large stone built church designed by the architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, located on the corner Queen's Promenade and Dale Street in Ramsey. The property is a registered building (RB 080).

PROPOSAL:

The application seeks approval Registered Building consent for the installation of electrically operated chime of bells and supporting steelwork within existing bell tower (Registered Building Nos. 80).

PLANNING POLICY:

As the property is a Registered Building (RB 080), the content of this application has been considered with particular regard to POLICY RB/5 ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS and RB/3: GENERAL CRITERIA APPLIED IN CONSIDERING REGISTERED BUILDING APPLICATIONS as set out within Planning Policy Statement 1/01- Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man and Environment Policies 32 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (20th June 2007).

Environment Policy 32 states: "Extensions of alterations to a Registered Building which would affect detrimentally its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest will not be permitted."

"Planning Policy Statement 1/01 RB/3: General Criteria Applied in Considering Registered Building Applications

The issues that are generally relevant to the consideration of all registered building applications are:

• The importance of the building, its intrinsic architectural and historic interest and rarity, relative to the Island as a whole and within the local context;
• The particular physical features of the building (which may include its design, plan, materials or location) which justify its inclusion in the register; descriptions annexed to the entry in the register may draw attention to features of particular interest or value, but they are not exhaustive and other features of importance, (e.g. Interiors, murals, hidden fireplaces) may come to light after the building's entry in the register;
• The building's setting and its contribution to the local scene, which may be very important, e.g. Where it forms an element in a group, park, garden or other townscape or landscape, or where it shares particular architectural forms or details with other buildings nearby (including other registered buildings)."

"RB/5: Alterations and Extensions

In considering whether to grant planning approval for development which affects a registered building or its setting and in considering whether to grant registered building consent for any works, the Department shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.

Registered Building consent is required for the building's alteration in any way which would affect its special architectural or historic character. There will be a general presumption against alteration or extension of registered buildings, except where a convincing case can be made, against the criteria set out in this section, for such proposals.

Applicants for registered building consent for alteration or extension to a registered building must be able to justify their proposals. They will be required to show why the works which would affect the character of the registered building are desirable or necessary and they should provide full information to enable the Department to assess the likely impact of their proposals on the special architectural or historic interest of the building and on its setting. Where registered buildings are the subject of successive applications for alteration or extension, consideration will also be given to the cumulative affect upon the building's special interest as a result of several minor works which may individually seem of little consequence."

PLANNING HISTORY:

The following previous planning applications are considered relevant in the assessment and determination of this application:

08/01891/CON - Registered Building Consent for the installation of a pipe organ to choir gallery (Registered Building no 80) - Application Permitted

08/00703/CON - Registered Building consent for internal alterations (Registered Building Nos. 080) - Application Permitted

06/02154/CON - Registered Building Consent for the installation of timber windows to replace existing (In association with 06/02153GB) - Application Refused

06/00761/CON - Registered Building Consent for the installation of steel railings and entrance gate to replace existing (in association with 06/00760 GB) Application Permitted

05/00495/CON – Retrospective Registered Building Consent application for the erection of a wrought iron screen between Lady Chapel and Baptistery - Application Permitted

Representations

Ramsey Town Commissioners have no objection to the application.

Assessment:

Proposed is the installation of electrically operated chime of bells and supporting steelwork within existing bell tower. The works are completely internal within the Bell Tower and will have no external visual impact. The installation of the steel cradle supporting the new bells is carried out in a manner which respects the existing Bell Cradle and is acceptable.

In a wider sense, the chimes will be heard throughout Ramsey and will have a positive impact on the character of the both the church and the wider Conservation Area.

Party Status:

The local authority, Ramsey Town Commissioners are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 29.09.2011

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.

C 2. This approval relates to the following information, date stamped 11 August 2011:

Schedule of Works August 2011 Location Plan Drawing 01 Floor Plan Drawing 02 Section Drawing 03 Detail of New Support Steels Drawing 04 Drawing entitled 'Description – Bangor Proposed Chime Frame'.

I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control / Development Control Manager.

Decision Made: Permitted Date: 3/10/11

Signed: Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control

OR

Signed: Jennifer Chance Development Control Manager