161332

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                                      20/01468/GB                                     Page  1  of  6

PLANNING OFFICER REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Application No. : 20/01468/GB Applicant : Tevir Development Limited Proposal : Temporary painted plywood protective screen to upper floors of the exposed NE elevation of Castle Mona following demolition of the NE hotel wing; blocking up of the individual openings at the lower levels exposed by the demolition; blocking up of existing ground floor windows to rear lane, along with openings exposed by outrigger demolitions; temporary plywood boarding of ground floor windows to the front of the property Site Address : Castle Mona Hotel Castle Drive Douglas Isle Of Man IM2 4LY

Registered Buildings Officer: Mr Ross Brazier Photo Taken :

Site Visit :

Expected Decision Level : Officer Delegation

Recommendation

Recommended Decision:

Permitted Date of Recommendation: 01.03.2021 __

Conditions and Notes for Approval

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions

C 1. 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 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.

C 2. The cladding as shown and described on drawing 1530 received 18th December 2020 shall be completed within 6 weeks of completion of the demolition.

Reason: To ensure the satisfactory preservation of this registered building

C 3. Any damage to the registered building during the course of the works hereby approved shall be made good upon completion of said works. All making good works shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department and thereafter implemented within time period to be agreed with the Department.

Reason: to ensure the satisfactory preservation of this registered building

This application has been recommended for approval for the following reason.

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                                      20/01468/GB                                     Page  2  of  6

The proposals are in accordance with the Strategic Plan policies, Policies RB/3 RB/5, CA/2 and CA/4 of Planning Policy Statement 1/01 and is supported

Plans/Drawings/Information; This decision relates to the following: Drawings and information all received on 18th December 2020. __

Interested Person Status - Additional Persons

It is recommended that the following Government Departments should be given Interested Person Status on the basis that they have made written submissions which relate to planning considerations:

Department of Infrastructure Flood Risk Manager.

Manx National Heritage have raised material considerations and as such should be afforded Interested Person Status __

Officer’s Report

This application will be determined at Officer Level in accordance with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Standing Order No. 2021/04;

2 The conditions and circumstances regulating the determination of applications by the Planning Committee

(1) Those applications falling within the following categories are to be considered by the Planning Committee except in the circumstance where the application is similar in nature to a previously approved application to which there are no more than relatively minor differences.

THE SITE 1.1 The site is the Registered Building RB82, The Castle Mona Hotel, constructed in 1804 to the design of George Stewart for the Duke of Athol. The site is located along Central Promenade with the Castle Mona Shopping parade directly beneath part of the curtilage and bounded by Castle Drive to the south and the north by the Best western Palace hotel. To the rear of the property is Place Cinema with Empress Drive beyond.

1.2 The property is located within the Promenades Conservation Area and parts of the site are identified on the national flood risk maps as of high likelihood of surface water flooding. The proposed development does not impact upon this due to the nature of the works as is confirmed by the DoI later in the report.

THE PROPOSAL 2.1 The application seeks approval for Registered Building consent for the provision of a temporary rainscreen cladding as protection to openings exposed flowing demolition and the temporary blocking up of windows and door openings. Registered Building Consent is also sought for the works under the application 20/01469/CON. These applications are a revision in detail and volume for the same elements previously approved under the following applications; 20/00586/GB, 20/00587/CON, 20/00584/GB and 20/00585/CON

PLANNING POLICY 3.1 TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1999 S16 Registered buildings: supplementary provisions (3) In considering -

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                                      20/01468/GB                                     Page  3  of  6

(a) whether to grant planning approval for development which affects a registered building or its setting, or (b) whether to grant registered building consent for any works, the relevant 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.

3.2 S18 Designation of conservation areas (4) Where any area is for the time being a conservation area, special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing its character or appearance in the exercise, with respect to any buildings or other land in the area, of any powers under this Act

3.3 National policy: THE ISLE OF MAN STRATEGIC PLAN 2016 Strategic Policy 4: Proposals for development must: (a) Protect or enhance the fabric and setting of Ancient Monuments, Registered Buildings(1), Conservation Areas(2), buildings and structures within National Heritage Areas and sites of archaeological interest;

Development within land-use zones General Policy 2: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; (j) can be provided with all necessary services; (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption.

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

Environment Policy 35: Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development.

3.4 Planning Policy Statements: 1/01 Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man

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                                      20/01468/GB                                     Page  4  of  6

POLICY 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:- o 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;

o 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;

o 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).

POLICY 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 effect upon the building's special interest as a result of several minor works which may individually seem of little consequence.

POLICY CA/2 SPECIAL PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS When considering proposals for the possible development of any land or buildings which fall within the conservation area, the impact of such proposals upon the special character of the area, will be a material consideration when assessing the application. Where a development is proposed for land which, although not within the boundaries of the conservation area, would affect its context or setting, or views into or out of the area; such issues should be given special consideration where the character or appearance of a conservation area may be affected.

POLICY CA/4 PROPOSALS FOR PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT It is important that designation is not seen as an end in itself, but that there be an opportunity for the designation to be considered in a wider context, such as that of an area plan. It is this overview which will basically determine the long term validity and prosperity of the conservation area. For example, proposals and policies contained within an area plan may take the opportunity to improve matters such as traffic congestion in and around a conservation area by traffic management and improvement, the provision of off-street parking and the introduction of some pedestrian or bicycle priority ways. The plan will also prescribe the use of land and buildings within the conservation area and beyond and may indicate opportunities for

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enhancement by restoration and re-use, or if appropriate, for replacement of elements within the conservation area which detract from the special character of the area.

PLANNING HISTORY 4.1 This application runs contemporaneously with 20/01468/GB for planning approval for the same works.

4.2 The site has also been the subject of numerous planning applications, those relevant are listed below and relate to the recent works to secure the building and remove unsympathetic later additions; 20/00582/GB, 20/00586/GB, 20/00583/CON, 20/00585/CON, 20/00587/CON, 20/00584/GB.

REPRESENTATIONS Copies of representations received can be viewed on the government's website. This report contains summaries only.

5.1 Highways Services indicate there is no highway interest in the application (02.02.21).

5.2 Manx National Heritage (MNH) raised no objection to the proposals (25.02.21).

5.3 Department of Infrastructure's Flood Manager confirms that there is no flood risk interest in this application.

ASSESSMENT 6.1 Castle Mona (RB 82) is a Registered Building located on a prominent position within Douglas Bay. Castle Mona should be considered as one of the island's most prominent historic building of architectural and historic interest. Once set within large grounds extending to the shore, the building was originally constructed as the private residence of the 4th Duke of Athol. Constructed of Arran freestone imported to the island it is comprised of three storeys on top of a rusticated half basement and castellated parapet and central tower behind vertically empathised three- bay rhythm to the principle sea facing facade the building is of clear architectural presence and note.

6.2 The building was short lived as a private residence and used as a hotel as early as 1831, the building has had three stages of major intervention, firstly in the late 1880's as part of a hotel redevelopment scheme, again in the mid-20th century when the north east wing was added and finally in the 1990's when the blowing alley was created. The last two phases comprise the elements that are currently being demolished as part of the recent approvals.

6.3 The building has been vacant since 2006 and is currently in a poor state of repair. The applicants have since their purchase of the property in 2018 undertaken urgent works to the roof structures to prevent water ingress and to secure the property. The application is the result of continued pre-application discussions and meetings with them and their agents.

6.4 The issues for the application are the preservation of the registered building, its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest and upon the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

6.5 The application represents a relatively minor alteration to the previously approved cladding detail, These revisions provide a more secure and robust solution that will require less cladding. It is considered that the revised scheme is an improvement in terms of impact upon the registered building to that detail previously approved.

CONCLUSION 7.1 The proposals are considered to be in accordance with the Strategic Plan policies, Policies RB/3 RB/5, CA/2 and CA/4 of Planning Policy Statement 1/01 and is supported.

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                                      20/01468/GB                                     Page  6  of  6

INTERESTED PERSON STATUS 8.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019, the following persons are automatically interested persons: (a) the applicant (including an agent acting on their behalf); (b) any Government Department that has made written representations that the Department considers material; (c) the Highways Division of the Department of Infrastructure; (d) Manx National Heritage where it has made written representations that the Department considers material; (e) Manx Utilities where it has made written representations that the Department considers material; (f) the local authority in whose district the land the subject of the application is situated; and (g) a local authority adjoining the authority referred to in paragraph (f) where that adjoining authority has made written representations that the Department considers material.

8.2 The decision maker must determine: o whether any other comments from Government Departments (other than the Department of Infrastructure Highway Services Division) are material; and o whether there are other persons to those listed above who should be given Interested Person Status

8.3 The Department of Environment Food and Agriculture is responsible for the determination of planning applications. As a result, where officers within the Department make comments in a professional capacity they cannot be given Interested Person Status. __

I can confirm that this decision has been made by a Principal Planner in accordance with the authority afforded to that Officer by the appropriate DEFA Delegation and that in making this decision the Officer has agreed the recommendation in relation to who should be afforded Interested Person Status.

Decision Made : Permitted

Date: 15.03.2021

Determining officer

Signed : S CORLETT Sarah Corlett

Principal Planner

Customer note

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