Chimney Stack Removal Planning Statement

CJ Design Limited

10 Ballaterson Road, Peel, Isle of Man IM5 1BJ Tel: 426277 Email: [email protected]

Planning and Building Control Dept of Environment, Food & Agriculture Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas Isle of Man IM1 2SF

30th May 2024

Dear Sirs,

Proposed chimney stack removal to rear extension at Crofton, The Crofts, Castletown.

Please find enclosed our Planning and Registered Building Applications for the removal of an external chimney stack and internal chimney breasting at the above. The works will form part of an ongoing renovation project undertaken by the current owners.

Application Site The application site is the residential curtilage of Crofton, The Crofts, Castletown which is a Registered Building, Reference number 261. The existing property is a four storey detached residential building that is set within its own private grounds, located on the eastern side of The Crofts in the heart of Castletown.

The original building was constructed sometime between 1850 and 1861, using local limestone external walls and natural slate roofing to a pitched roof. A two storey extension was added to the rear of the property sometime between 1886 and 1908, using similar limestone walling and natural slate with the roof having a lean-to style construction. A further single storey extension was then added to the rear of the property in the early 1990’s. It is this rear single storey extension and a chimney stack constructed as part of this 1990’s extension that is subject to this planning application.

Photographs of the existing Chimney stack indicating the hipped roof and flat roof used to connect this structure to the main building are included on CJ Design drawing numbered 2024/25/01, submitted as part of this planning application.

Planning History Reference should be made to Planning Approvals ref: 23/01126/GB & 24/00079/GB and Registered Building Approvals ref: 23/01127/CON & 24/00081/CON for details of the renovation works currently proposed at the property.

Planning Advice Prior to submission of these Planning and Registered Buildings applications, advise has been sought from Mr T. Sinden, Conservation Officer at the planning department.

Proposals These Planning and Registered Building applications seek the removal of a redundant external chimney stack and associated internal chimney breasting from the 1990’s, single storey extension to the rear of Crofton.

As part of the ongoing renovation works, the applicant would like to alter the use of this space from a previous Dining Room to a new, open plan Kitchen space with vaulted ceiling. They believe a property of Crofton’s status should have a large open plan Kitchen space that is conducive to modern family living and enjoying the views out into the landscaped garden. As part of this, the existing hipped roof structure and flat roof linking the single storey extension to the existing property are to be replaced and approval has been granted under PA ref24/00079/GB & RBA ref 24/00081/CON.

As part of the replacement roof works approved, the Client would like to remove the chimney breasting internally to provide a flat wall to construct their new feature Kitchen. Having spoken with the Structural Engineer, it is unfeasible to remove the chimney breasting internally but retain the chimney stack externally. This is due to the proportions of the stack not being large enough to provide sufficient mass and structural integrity to stand above the roof surface without bearing onto some masonry below.

The possibility of drylining the internal face of the wall to remove the indent of the breasting has been explored but unfortunately this was not considered feasible due to the internal symmetry of the room and window reveals etc.

Therefore, the Client seeks permission to remove the external chimney stack as part of the roof structure re-build which then allows the removal of the internal chimney breasting as well.

I trust the above is satisfactory to allow the application to proceed however should you require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Carl Jenkins Architectural Technician