6 October 2010 · Council of Ministers
The Ornamental Gateway, Marine Drive, Port Soderick, Isle Of Man, IM1 5bz
The proposal involves mounting three interpretive information boards, each 600mm high by 1000mm wide on single square posts, along the northeastern side of a level tarmaced platform (8m x 5m) adjacent to the ornamental stone arch known as The Ornamental Gateway on Marine Drive, Port Soderick.
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The inspector concluded that the platform is a secondary part of the Registered Building, with the real interest in the archway itself, and the boards/binoculars are well removed, small in scale, with…
General Policy 3
Presumes against development outside zoned areas except in specified circumstances including '(h) building or works required for the interpretation of the countryside'. The officer noted the information boards qualify as interpretation works for the marine wildlife area, making the proposal acceptable despite the site's open space and nature conservation designation.
Environment Policy 32
Prohibits extensions or alterations to Registered Buildings that detrimentally affect character. Assessed as compliant since proposals on secondary platform area, well removed from archway of special interest, small scale with little visual impact.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Recommend approval
The original application by Manx Wildlife Trust sought Registered Building consent for three information boards on a platform adjacent to the Ornamental Gateway (Registered Building No. 233), in association with planning application 10/00490/D, due to the site being on Department of Infrastructure land. There is no explicit refusal stated; instead, the application was referred to an inspector for recommendation to the Council of Ministers. The inspector's arguments focused on minimal impact to the building's special interest and public benefits outweighing any harm, fitting within policy exceptions for countryside interpretation. The inspector recommended approval subject to conditions. The Council of Ministers accepted the recommendation on 9 September 2010, issuing permission on 6 October 2010 with one condition, omitting two as highway matters.
Precedent Value
This appeal shows that small-scale interpretive structures in protected landscapes can be approved if they qualify under countryside interpretation exceptions and do not harm registered building character, with public educational benefits carrying significant weight.
Inspector: David Ward
