27 July 2016 · Delegated - Interim Director of Planning and Building Control (Jennifer Chance)
4, Osborne Terrace, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 3lh
The proposal involves building a detached single garage and block-paved hardstanding parking area on a currently lawned site adjacent to No. 4 Windsor Terrace, owned by the applicant, opposite No. 5 Windsor Terrace.
Click a button above to find applications similar to this one.
See how this application compares to similar ones — policies, conditions, and outcomes side by side.
The principle of a garage on the site has been accepted through four previous planning permissions for similar developments, including demolitions and replacements of garages.
General Policy 2
GP2 permits development in accordance with land use zoning if it respects site surroundings in siting, scale, form, design; does not adversely affect townscape character, residential amenity, highway safety or traffic flows. Officer assessed the garage as appropriate in scale and design, matching neighbouring garages, beneficial for parking and street scene in residential area.
Environment Policy 35
ENV35 requires development in Conservation Areas to preserve or enhance character and appearance, protecting special features. Officer concluded proposal preserves Conservation Area character by being in keeping with modern garage street scene, smaller than precedents, and improving visual amenities via off-street parking.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. Reason: To comply with article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Domestic use only
The garage hereby approved shall at all times be used only for domestic storage including car parking, associated with No. 4 Windsor Terrace and/or purposes ancillary to the residential use of the main dwelling No. 4 Windsor Terrace and may not be used for commercial purposes. Reason: To ensure that the garage is not used for purposes which could adversely affect the use of the adjacent garaging and parking area and to protect the amenity of the area in general.
Douglas Borough Council has no objection to application 16/00698/B and several others listed.
Douglas Borough Council
No ObjectionDouglas Borough Council has no objection to the proposals.; It should be noted that the above comments are made in relation to the Town and Country Planning Acts and does not imply approval or consent under any other relevant enactment, byelaw, order or regulation.
The original application for erection of a single garage and hardstanding adjacent to 4 Windsor Terrace, Douglas, was approved by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture on 27 July 2016 under delegated powers. Neighbours Mr and Mrs J M Watson appealed, arguing the garage's excessive depth would harm the Conservation Area's character by encroaching on an important open green space with potential as a Georgian square. The Planning Authority and applicant defended the scheme as consistent with existing garages, beneficial for off-street parking, and preserving the area's character. The inspector, following an inquiry on 4 October 2016 and site visit, agreed the development fits the established street scene of modern garages and would not harm the Conservation Area, dismissing the appeal on 19 October 2016. The Minister upheld the decision on 21 November 2016, approving subject to three conditions including materials matching and domestic use only.
Precedent Value
Third party appeals against approvals in Conservation Areas face high bar; inspectors prioritise established character over aspirational open space retention unless policy-designated. Applicants benefit from matching neighbouring developments and highlighting practical parking gains.
Inspector: Michael Hurley
