23 April 2015 · Council of Ministers
Signal Box, Railway Station, Banks Circus, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 4ll
The proposal involves alterations and refurbishment to the historic Railway Station building in Douglas, including erection of an outdoor canopy and creation of an internal retail area, linked to planning application 14/00891/GB. The site is a protected Registered Building No. 74.
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The documents provided are decision notices only and do not contain an officer's report or detailed reasoning explaining why the decision was made.
Time limit
The works hereby granted Registered Building Consent 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 registered building consents.
Details of mezzanine, balustrading, doors, screens and staircases
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.
Canopy details
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.
Retention of ticket windows, panelling and map
The ticket windows, panelling and original map on the north wall of the ticket hall shall be retained in positions as near to their current positions as possible. No works shall commence until details to a scale of 1:10 indicating the new door opening through the wall, the position of the map and the revised panelling have been submitted to and approved in writing by Planning and Building Control. Reason: In the interests of the integrity of the Registered Building, its setting and its features of architectural and historic interest.
Mezzanine separation from north wall
The new mezzanine floor shall be kept a minimum of 1.4m away from the north wall of the ticket hall except for the mezzanine floor narrow link to the restaurant at its western end. No works shall commence until details to a scale of 1:10 have been submitted to and approved in writing by Planning & Building Control. Reason: In the interests of the integrity of the Registered Building, its setting and its features of architectural and historic interest.
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 original applications by DOI for refurbishment works including internal reconfiguration for retail/café/restaurant, new canopy and external alterations at the Victorian Registered Building (No 74) in North Quay Conservation Area were not progressed to decision, leading to appeals by the applicant. Appellant argued economic viability of heritage railway required revenue-generating uses and modern facilities, with proposals respecting heritage via repairs and minimal harm. Objectors including Isle of Man Victorian Society and Steam Railway Supporters Association opposed loss of ticket hall features like ticket windows, panelling and map, claiming breach of Registered Building policies. Inspector found clear need for repairs, financial sustainability and improved facilities; most proposals preserved building character but rejected north wall alterations and mezzanine abutment harming historic features, recommending approval with conditions requiring retention of ticket windows/map/panelling and mezzanine setback. Outcome: Appeals recommended allowed conditionally.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates inspector insistence on retaining iconic historic features even if altered/not pristine, via conditions allowing scheme viability; future applicants must prove no lesser-harm alternatives and provide full significance assessments for government-owned RBs.
Inspector: Anthony J Wharton BArch RIBA RIAS MRTPI
