187086

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TO: Vanessa Porter: Assistant Planning Officer FROM: Ross Brazier: Principal Registered Buildings Officer DATE: 01/07/2020

20/00464/CON RE: Registered Building consent for the removal of a painting located on wood panelling with accompanying frame and base

AT: All Saints Church Alexander Drive Douglas Isle Of Man IM2 3QH

Recommendation Approve subject to conditions

Scope of comments These comments relate to the impact of the development upon a registered building.

Legislative and Policy context

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1999

S16 Registered buildings: supplementary provisions

(3) In considering -

(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.

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;

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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.

Planning Policy Statements:

1/01 Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man

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:- • 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;

• 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;

• 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

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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 RB/10 ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS The same provisions apply for registered buildings which fall within this category, as apply elsewhere. Contrary to the situation which prevails elsewhere, no exemption exists with respect to ecclesiastical buildings in the Isle of Man. In considering applications for registered building consent for alteration or extension to buildings in this category, it is acknowledged that factors such as the size and requirements of modern congregations may differ considerably from when the church was originally constructed. Applicants considering carrying out alterations, extensions or improvements to ecclesiastical buildings which are registered, should consider the extent to which their proposals will affect the particular historic merit or architectural Character of the building in question. An application is less likely to succeed if either of these qualities is markedly affected. It must also be remembered that in addition to the requirement for registered building consent, it will usually be necessary to obtain the formal consent of the appropriate church authority: early dialogue can often assist in deciding upon the most Appropriate way to progress such works.

Report detail All saints Church was the first Anglican church to be built in the Island for over Fifty years. it is an outstanding example of modern ecclesiastical design by local Architect Mr. C. J. Kneen, F.R.I.C.S., L.R.I.B.A., of Messrs. Davidson Marsh & Co. the Architect, utilised many new and revolutionary construction techniques during the erection of All Saints’ Church, which contributes to the town’s unique character, namely: The structural frame used in German churches in tubular form is a development used for the first time in the Isle of Man. An innovation in the form of the roof was incorporated, by the innovative use of the materials, the Architect had eliminated the need for the roof rafters to support the roof tiles.

The proposal is for the removal of the mural portraying the Nativity of our Lord, and depicts the homage paid by the Three Kings from the East. This mural is the work of the late Dorothy Nicholson, the well-known local artist, and wife of the late John Nicholson, R.I., who acted as Colour Consultant to the Architect throughout the project.

Whist the mural is clearly an original feature of the building and makes some contribution to its significance, I have no objection to its removal as the building is now closed for public worship and the benefits of the proposals will enable the mural to be seen by the public in either proposed location will outweigh the harm caused by its removal from the building.

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A method statement is required for how the area behind the mural will be made good.

Also confirmation of Manx National Heritage’s commitment to receive the painting if it cannot be relocated to St George’s should be sought prior to approval.

CONDITIONS

Registered Building Making Good

Requires any damage to the registered building to be made good upon completion of the works hereby approved, any damage caused to the building by the works shall be made good in accordance with a scheme submitted to and approved in writing by the Department.

Reason: To ensure the satisfactory preservation of this registered building.

Ross Brazier Principal Registered Buildings Officer