26 March 2019 · Delegated - Principal Planner Sarah Corlett
10, Sartfell Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 3lz
The site is a two-storey early 20th century terraced dwelling within a group of six similar properties on Sartfell Road, featuring uniform brown pebbledash render, gabled bays, and low 700mm stone boundary walls with pedestrian-only accesses.
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 officer concluded that the proposal fails Strategic Policy 4 and Environmental Policy 35, which require development in Conservation Areas to 'preserve or enhance' the area's character, as the 3.6m…
Strategic Policy 4
Requires proposals to protect or enhance Conservation Areas. Officer assessed that removing boundary wall for vehicular access fails to preserve or enhance the Selborne Conservation Area's street scene character defined by uniform pedestrian-only frontages.
Environment Policy 35
Permits only development that preserves or enhances Conservation Area character, protecting special features. The proposal's introduction of a wide driveway harms the terrace's uniform low walls and pedestrian accesses, failing this test with unacceptable visual impact.
General Policy 2
Requires development to respect townscape character, not adversely affect locality character. Assessed as failing due to adverse impact on street scene from wall demolition and access creation, damaging the built pattern.
Multiple consultees including Registered Buildings Officer, Douglas Borough Council, and Highway Services objected to the application due to impacts on the conservation area character and inadequate highway visibility splays.
Key concern: harm to character and appearance of conservation area
Registered Buildings Officer
ObjectionI support the comments submitted by Douglas borough Council and agree that the proposals will neither preserve nor enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area.; Recommendation Refuse
Douglas Borough Council
ObjectionDouglas Borough Council objects to the proposals.; contrary to paragraph 7.29 .2 of Environmental Policy 35 of the Isle Of Man Strategic Plan 2016.
Douglas Borough Council
No CommentDouglas Borough Council has no objections to the listed application.; would kindly request a further extension of 21 days to pass comment.
Highway Services
ObjectionHighway Services opposes the application on the grounds of highway safety; Recommendation: O
The original application 18/01057/B for demolition of part of a boundary wall and creation of a vehicular access and driveway was refused by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. Appellants Mr H and Mrs R Laughton argued that the proposal supported sustainable electric vehicle charging aligned with the Biosphere Pledge, would not harm the varied character of the conservation area, and met highway visibility standards. The Council and DOI Highways defended the refusal citing harm to the uniform terrace character and inadequate visibility splays. The inspector found significant harm to the conservation area's character outweighing sustainability benefits, accepted highway safety, but recommended dismissal. The Minister accepted this recommendation and upheld the refusal on 22 August 2019.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates that CA character protection (GP2, SP4, EP35) takes precedence over EV charging needs in uniform streetscenes, even with sustainability policy support. Future applicants should prioritise side accesses or demonstrate no harm to architectural uniformity.
Inspector: Brian J Sims
