11 December 2024 · Planning Committee (decision made 09.12.2024); signed by J Chance, Director of Planning and Building Control
Flour Mill, Mill Road, Laxey, Isle Of Man, IM4 7au
The proposal involves attaching a non-illuminated PVC banner, 8m long by 1.2m high at 7m above ground level, on the principal elevation of the 1860 Flour Mill building at Laxey Glen Mills, a registered building and key feature in the Laxey Conservation Area.
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The officer acknowledged the banner would cause short-term visual harm, appearing obtrusive and incongruous on the registered building and when viewed from public vantage points like the eastern river…
General Policy 6
Requires signage in town/village areas to be of suitable design, in keeping with surroundings, not cause highway hazard, and relate to the building. Proposal complies with highway safety (c) and relates to building (GP7), but fails (a) high standard of design/materials relating well to building/site and (b) in keeping/not detracting from area due to obtrusive appearance; temporary nature justifies on balance.
General Policy 7
Requires signage to relate to the building on which it attaches. Banner clearly relates to the flour mill building and its operation.
Environment Policy 37
Permits advertisements in Conservation Areas only if they preserve/enhance the area, appropriate style/character, traditional materials/finishes; no internally illuminated box signs. Banner fails to preserve/enhance due to visual harm from design/size/form, but temporary/reversible nature and mill support justify contrary to policy.
Removal by 1 January 2026
The signage hereby approved shall have been removed from the site and the building restored back to its original state by the 1st January 2026. Reason: Permission has only been sought on a temporary basis up to the above referenced date, which has formed the basis for the works having been justified contrary to General Policy 6 and Environment Policy 37.
No highways interest
Highway Services HDC has no interest in the application; the Registered Buildings Officer finds the temporary signage acceptable despite design concerns as it causes no long-term harm; Garff Commissioners suggest improvements but would not appeal approval.
Key concern: size, position, material and horizontal form of the proposed banner fail to respect the design and form of this registered building
Highway Services HDC
No CommentHighway Services HDC has no interest (NHI) in: 24/00676/D
Registered Buildings Officer
Conditional No ObjectionI judge that the temporary installation of such a banner for a period of little over a year while a more permanent signage solution is developed is entirely reversible and I would judge that this would cause no long-term harm to the special architectural or historic interest of the building; On balance, I judge that the temporary installation of a banner in the form and position proposed to be something that would not harm the building’s special interest and to therefore be acceptable
Garff Commissioners
Conditional No ObjectionThe consensus of the Members is that the design and format of the banner could be more appropriate for the building than the latest proposed; vertical configuration may not be suitable for the advertising text required and wish to advise that they would not appeal any approval decision on this application
