6 September 2022 · Delegated - Principal Planner (Jason Singleton)
20, Finch Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 2ps
The proposal involved replacing the existing historic timber framed sliding sash windows, featuring Georgian bars, with modern UPVC framed casement windows at The IOM Islamic Association, a high-status 1830s-1840s dwelling on Finch Road that exemplifies early Victorian development in Douglas.
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The officer determined that the timber framed sliding sash windows with Georgian bars are key features contributing to the building's special architectural interest, illustrative of mid-19th century h…
Town and Country Planning Act 1999 Section 16 Registered buildings: supplementary provisions
Requires special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its features of special architectural or historic interest. The officer assessed that replacing timber sliding sash windows with UPVC casements fails this test, as it removes key historic features without preservation.
Strategic Policy 4
Part of IOM Strategic Plan 2016; requires protection and preservation of historic buildings. Failed due to use of non-traditional materials and failure to preserve special interest.
Environment Policy 32
IOM Strategic Plan 2016 policy on environmental protection including historic assets. The proposal fails as the building's historic features are not preserved.
Environment Policy 34
IOM Strategic Plan 2016; focuses on use of traditional materials in historic contexts. Failed because UPVC is not traditional compared to timber.
RB/3 General Criteria Applied in Considering Registered Building Applications
Guidance for conservation of historic environment in registered buildings. Contributed to overall failure in preserving special interest.
RB/5 Alterations and Extensions
Requires applicants to justify proposals and provide full information on impact to special interest. No justification given for not using like-for-like timber sliding sash replacements.
Planning Circular 1/98, The Alteration and Replacement of Windows
Mandates repair of original windows if possible, or exact like-for-like replacement in all respects (materials, method of opening, design) unless exceptional circumstances. Strictly applied here; UPVC casements do not replicate timber sliding sashes.
no highways interest in the application
no objections to the application
Highway Services and Douglas Borough Council raised no objections to the application, while the Isle of Man Victorian Society objected due to non-compliance with Registered Building policy on window replacements.
Key concern: replacement windows do not comply with Planning Circular 1/98 requiring exact match to originals in all respects
Highway Services Division
No Objectionthere is no Highways HDC interest (NHI) in: 22/00955/CON
Douglas Borough Council
No ObjectionDouglas Borough Council has no objections.
Isle of Man Victorian Society
Objectionreplacement windows MUST BE THE SAME as the originals in all respects, including the method of opening, materials and detailed design. This policy will be strictly applied other than where the particular circumstances are so exceptional as to justify a relaxation.; The applicant should be advised to contact the Registered Buildings Officer to discuss this application
