1 December 2022 · Delegated - Principal Planner (Chris Balmer)
Corlett & Bolton, 4, Finch Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 2pt
The proposal involves fitting flush in-roof solar panels on a visible roof slope and erecting a small storm porch on the rear elevation of No. 4 Finch Road, a mid-19th century high-status dwelling and registered building (RB 100) in Douglas.
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The key issue was whether the proposals would detrimentally affect the registered building's special interest, a mid-19th century high-status dwelling illustrating Douglas's Victorian development.
General Policy 2
Requires high quality design and mitigation of adverse impacts. The officer assessed the proposals as compliant given their limited visual impact, sympathetic design, and public benefits from energy efficiency outweighing minor harm to the registered building.
Strategic Policy 4
Focuses on sustainable development. Solar panels and insulation supported the policy's emphasis on energy efficiency, with harm to historic fabric considered acceptable due to modern roof materials and flush installation.
Environment Policy 32
Protects historic environment. Applied alongside registered building policies; proposals preserved the building's interest through conditions on materials and installation.
Environment Policy 34
Addresses climate change and sustainability. Solar panels directly supported this by providing renewable energy, justifying the visual change on a historic roof.
RB/3 General Criteria Applied in Considering Registered Building Applications
From PPS 1/01 for conservation of historic environment; requires preservation of registered buildings. Officer tested visual impact of solar panels and porch, finding them acceptable with conditions to ensure no detrimental effect.
RB/5 Alterations and Extensions
PPS 1/01 policy on alterations to registered buildings. Assessed as satisfied due to sympathetic rear porch, integrated panels, and minimal impact elements like swift boxes.
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 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Matching Materials
All external facing to be used shall match those of the existing building in respect of type, colour profile and texture. Reason: To ensure the satisfactory preservation of this registered building.
Solar Panels
For the avoidance of doubt the solar panels hereby approved are required to be integrated solar panels (in-roof solar panels) installed so they run flush with the external roof plane rather than being installed on top of the roof tiles/slates. Reason: To ensure the satisfactory preservation of this registered building and In the interests of visual amenities of the individual property
Swift Boxes
No development shall commence until the location of the proposed swift boxes to be located under the eaves on the south elevation has been submitted to the Department for approval. The boxes shall be painted to match the surroundings and shall be installed in accordance with the approved details and thereafter maintained in accordance with the approved details. Reason: To ensure the satisfactory preservation of this registered building.
no highways interest in the application
no objections to the application
Highway Services Division has no highways interest in the application, while Douglas Borough Council has no objections to it.
Highway Services Division
No ObjectionFrom the Planning List 2 September 2022, there is no Highways HDC interest (NHI) in: 22/01017/GB
Douglas Borough Council
No ObjectionFollowing consideration of the planning applications listed directly below, I can advise that Douglas Borough Council has no objections.; 22/01017/GB - Installation of roof mounted solar panels and the erection of a storm porch on the rear elevation (in association with RB application 22/01016/CON) 4 Finch Road Douglas Isle Of Man IM1 2PT
