2 October 2020 · Delegated - Principal Planner (Chris Balmer)
Douglas Castle, Fort Anne Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 5bn
The proposal sought Registered Building consent for a conical slate roof extension at roof level on the circular tower of Harold Tower to form a new observatory room with arched dormer windows, built around the existing castellations without damaging them and designed to be removable.
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 assessed the proposal against Strategic Policy 4, which requires development to protect or enhance the fabric and setting of Registered Buildings, and Environment Policy 32, which prohibit…
Strategic Policy 4
Requires proposals to protect or enhance the fabric and setting of Registered Buildings. The officer found the conical roof fails this as it obscures castellations on the prominent circular tower, becoming dominant in views without justification, neither protecting nor enhancing.
General Policy 2
Requires development to respect site and surroundings in scale, form, design and not adversely affect character of townscape or amenity. Proposal's design adversely impacts the townscape character by altering the building's key features.
Environment Policy 32
Prohibits extensions or alterations detrimentally affecting a Registered Building's special architectural or historic character. Covering castellations detrimentally affects the building's Gothic character.
Environment Policy 34
Prefers traditional materials in alterations to pre-1920 buildings. Proposal uses slate and lead deemed traditional, but overall design fails due to impact on character.
Environment Policy 35
Permits only development preserving or enhancing Conservation Area character. Proposal harms the Proposed Douglas Head Conservation Area by altering a key building's appearance.
RB/3 General Criteria Applied in Considering Registered Building Applications
Considers building's importance, physical features like castellations, and setting. Proposal impacts these key justified features without enhancement.
RB/5 Alterations and Extensions
Presumption against alterations affecting special character unless justified. No convincing case made; cumulative effects considered but harmful.
no objection
no highway interest
All consultees who commented on the heritage impact of the proposed observatory roof extension to Harold Tower strongly objected due to harm to the building's special architectural and historic character, while Douglas Borough Council and Highways had no objections.
Key concern: proposed turret/conical roof addition detrimentally affects special architectural and historic character of Registered Building No. 179 by obscuring castellated features and lacking architectural connection
Isle of Man Victorian Society
ObjectionWe write to express our strongest objection to the proposals in this application.; The application should be refused.; 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.
Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society
ObjectionIsle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society therefore object to both the above applications.; the proposed alteration/addition to this tower, even if it is ‘removable’, constitutes an unnecessary alteration to this Registered Building.
DEFA Principal Registered Buildings Officer
ObjectionRecommendation: Refuse; I strongly object to the proposals and consider it would be harmful to the special historic and architectural interest of this registered building.
Douglas Borough Council
No ObjectionDouglas Borough Council has no objections.
Department of Infrastructure Highways Division
No CommentNo Highways Interest
