23 April 2015 · Council of Ministers
Signal Box, Railway Station, Banks Circus, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 4ll
This was a listed building consent application (14/00891/GB) for works at the historic Railway Station in Douglas, including internal alterations to create a retail area, refurbishment of the existing building fabric such as crack stitching and stability works, and erection of an outdoor canopy.
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No detailed officer reasoning is provided in the decision notices, which are formal approvals under the Registered Buildings Regulations.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision. Reason: To comply with paragraph 2(2)(a) of schedule 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Large scale details of internal elements
No works shall commence until large scale details (minimum 1:20, preferably 1:10) of the restaurant mezzanine, balustrading, the proposed door and screen between the restaurant and the proposed staircase, the glazed screen and associated side doors between the ticket hall and the retail area and details of both proposed staircases including balustrading have been submitted to and approved in writing by Planning & Building Control. The works shall not be carried out unless in accordance with the approved plans. Reason: In the interests of the integrity of the Registered Building and its setting.
Large scale details of canopy
No works shall commence until large scale details (minimum 1:20, preferably 1:10) of the proposed canopy have been submitted to and approved in writing by Planning & Building Control. The works shall not be carried out unless in accordance with the approved details. Reason: In the interests of the integrity of the Registered Building and its setting.
Photographic survey
No works shall commence until a full and comprehensive photographic survey has been submitted to and agreed in writing by Planning & Building Control. Reason: In order to retain a record of the site in the interests of local history.
Approved plans
This approval relates to the following plans/drawing numbers except where superseded by plans and drawings as required by any of the above conditions: Nos 1402-100 Location Plan, 1402-101 Site Plan as Existing, 1402-102 Site Plan as Proposed, 1402-103 Floor Plans as Existing of existing fabric, 1402-104 Floor Plans as Existing, Proposed alterations to existing fabric, 1402-105 Plans as Proposed, 1402-106 Sections as Existing, 1402-107 Sections as Proposed, 1402-108 Elevations as Existing, 1402-109 Elevations as Proposed, 1402-110 Internal Elevations and Door Details, 1402-111 Door and Window Schedule Sheet 1 of 2, 1402-112 Door and Window Schedule Sheet 2 of 2, S/250 Proposed Roof Truss Sections Sheet 1 of 5, S/251 Proposed Roof Truss Sections Sheet 2 of 5, S/252 Proposed Roof Truss Sections Sheet 3 of 5, S/253 Proposed Roof Truss Sections Sheet 4 of 5, S/254 Proposed Roof Truss Sections Sheet 5 of 5, S/260 Extent of Underpinning, S/310 Railway Station Crack Stitching and Stability Works Elevations.
The Department of Infrastructure applied for Planning Approval and Registered Building Consent for internal alterations including retail area, café, restaurant, canopy and repairs at the Grade 74 Registered Building in Douglas Conservation Area, refused originally though reasons not stated. Appellant argued financial viability of heritage railway required income generation via retail/catering while preserving heritage; objectors including Victorian Society opposed loss of ticket hall features. Inspector found compelling need for repairs and modern facilities to sustain building and railway, approved most works but identified harm to north wall ticket windows/map from proposed mezzanine and door, recommending approval with conditions to retain these features and set back mezzanine. Outcome: Both appeals allowed subject to detailed conditions including retention of historic north wall elements.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates viability arguments can justify alterations to Registered Buildings if heritage features retained via conditions; stresses need to protect surviving iconic elements like ticket windows despite financial pressures, setting expectation for conditional approvals balancing conservation with use.
Inspector: Anthony J Wharton
