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Planning & Building Control, First Floor Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas IM1 2SF
Reyrt ny Gurragh 9 Kella Close Sulby Isle of Man IM7 2HQ
18th June 2018
RE: Planning application: 18/00532/REM
Dear Sirs,
I write in respect of the above planning application to express my objection to it for the following reasons:
I have been a resident of Sulby Village for 45 years, was a founder member of the Sulby & Lezayre Heritage Trust, author of 'A Sulby Heritage Trail'; member of St. Stephen's Church congregation for over 40 years; church warden and past head teacher of Sulby School. I believe this gives me considerable interest and background knowledge of this site and location.
Site history & registered status
The church/school rooms built in 1838 and the 'new' school (now called 'the Old School') was built in 1879. Please see attached enclosure 1 for more information on these buildings, which are both registered buildings due to their unique design, historical and social interest. This site demarked by its boundary wall (marked in red on plans) contains both these registered buildings which together tell the historical and social story in the Isle of Man of the close link between early education and the church.
Inspector's & Minister's recommendations
The proposed plans do not comply with Anthony Whorton's Inspector's Report or those of Minister Ronan's (who overruled the inspector's recommendations). The plans submitted are incompatible with 'planning in principle' recommendations. They do not comply!
General design
From an architectural perspective the proposed detailed plans are not compatible in scale, proximity, architectural language, or proportions to the existing buildings. In particular, I am concerned that the proposed building will have a detrimental impact on the architectural identity of St Stephens Church and the Old School due to its size and proximity to the existing buildings.
These concerns have already been stated in the inspector's report but were overruled by Minister Ronan subject to the development being built in a sympathetic manner. Furthermore, the proposed development is highly inappropriate for such a rural location as the high density would be more fitting for an urban
environment. As you are aware there is outline approval for 2 dwellings and a large double garage on the site.
There is a concern that the plans deviate from those approved at outline planning stage. This is because they show there is no access from dwelling ‘A’ to dwelling ‘B’ and it is unclear how access would be provided to dwelling ‘B’ in the future.
I propose the development is subject to conditions to address the concerns expressed by inspector Anthony Whortons in para. 28 of his report. For example, the washing lines. In addition, I propose that restrictions area made regarding building works in view of the close proximity of the proposed dwelling to the church. These could include such times as regular services during the week in addition to Sunday services and also funerals or weddings.
This is located close to the boundary wall in the south west corner of the church plot. (Please see area shaded in red on the attached enclosure No.1). I am concerned that the ‘tail’ drainage pipes will be disturbed or damaged by the close proximity of the proposed dwellings foundations.
I wish to draw your attention to the fact that the footings for the newly proposed dwelling are very close to the boundary wall of the church. Given the wall is approximately 5 feet tall the new footings may well result in structural damage or collapse of the old stone wall.
Whilst the East elevation is virtually all stonework according to the plan, the west elevation is the complete opposite and has no stonework which would not blend with the existing buildings. In addition, the large floor to ceiling glass windows, on ground and first floor of the northwest corner of the dwelling, are out of context and are not sympathetic to the existing registered buildings. Surely the appearance and materials should be more sympathetic in line with the east elevation.
It should also be noted that the west elevation (which is totally out of keeping) faces Ballabrooie housing estate in the village and is highly visible from the public highway and footpath.
Trusting you will consider these observations and concerns when viewing this application.
Yours sincerely
Juan D Vernon
J. D. Vernon
Built in 1838 on land given from the Staward Estate by Major Caesar Bacon, St. Stephen's Chapel and Schoolhouse was one of the eleven churches built by Bishop William Ward. Its design was entirely similar to that of St. Luke's Church, Baldwin (1836) and St. James Church, Dalby (1839). All three churches stand today in regular use and are of great interest because the school was included in their composition. They are cruciform in plan; the chancel and transepts were dedicated to Divine Service and were separated from the nave by folding doors. The nave formed the Schoolroom during school week days, but the folding doors could be drawn back allowing the nave to be returned to the area used for worship on Sundays (see plan of church). It is quite probable that these three churches were the first dual purpose church buildings in Britain. The Architect, John Welch, was responsible for most Churches and Chapels built during this period, including Kirk Christ, Lezayre (1835). Other designs by him included the Tower of Refuge in Douglas Bay (1832) and he was associated with the plans for King William's College in Castletown.
St. Stephen's was rebuilt and extended in 1880, and major restoration work was carried out in 1976-78. Its schoolroom is an important part of the history of education in Sulby. Five historic school buildings still survive. These include the 'Treen School', also known as the Dame School or the 'Penny School' (this is mentioned later in the Trail), the Church School, the 'Mountain School at the Corrody above Tholt-y-Will in Sulby Glen, and the old Sulby Elementary School which stands next to St. Stephen's Church. The more recently built Sulby Primary School, which can be seen from where you stand, completes the story. The Sulby Elementary School, which the new Primary School replaced, was opened on December 2nd, 1879. The Education Act of 1872 made the provision of education for all children mandatory and the school served the village and the surrounding area for nearly 112 years up to its close in July 1991. Originally, children would leave school at 14 years of age, unless they obtained a place at Ramsey Grammar School, where they would continue their education. The main schoolroom ran the length of the building and had a central sliding partition, allowing it to be used either as two classrooms or as a large hall. A third classroom at the rear
20
St Stephen's Church
of the building must have been used for older pupils as at one time it was furnished with tiered seating. Also at the rear was a cloakroom where water was available from a hand-operated pump. A separate stone building in the playground originally provided 'dry' toilets for both girls and boys, as well as for staff. These buildings remained in place, tarred and whitewashed inside, until the school closed in 1991, and can still be seen in the background of the picture. Well before the school closed it had become necessary to provide a third classroom, in a mobile, in the playground to the rear of the church.
Walk a little way along the road to the next stop.
The Old Sulby School
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