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The site represents the curtilage of Castletown Methodist Church which sits on the southern side of Arbory Street between 27 Arbory Street - a dwelling, and 29 which is subdivided into flats. The church stretches between Arbory Street and Farrant's Way and is an interesting building with a large central core with a ridge running at right angles to the main roads. There is a semi-circular features at the southern end of the main core with single storey outbuildings between it and Farrant's Way. To the rear on the right hand side of the site there is a two storey lean-to building accommodating a lounge and kitchen at ground floor level and Sunday School and club area above.
The site lies within an area designated on the Castletown Local Plan and the draft Southern Area Plan which was published on 23rd October, 2009 as Mixed Use. The site also lies within Castletown's Conservation Area.
The following applications have been submitted in respect of this site:
PA 86/0440 - alterations including new kitchen, entrance area and toilets, and rendering of front elevation - permitted PA 00/2348 - installation of polycarbonate sheeting to protect eight side windows - permitted PA 06/0523 - removal of redundant chimney stack and re-roofing with Welsh slate - refused
Now proposed is the removal of the two storey annex and the installation of a fire door at ground floor level in its place.
There are no representations on file.
As the premises lie within the Conservation Area, there is a requirement to seek to preserve or enhance the property as set out in Environment Policy 35 and Planning Policy Statement 1/01. In this case the annex to be removed is not of historical value and is not particularly attractive. The Department has inspected the annex, a survey undertaken by Rik Fox revealed that the building is in poor condition and is of little historic value. The building is no longer used or required and is in an unsafe condition. The applicant indicates that they have discussed the proposal with the owner of the adjacent site - 27, Arbory Street who has no objection.
As the Arbory Street Methodist Church is located within the Castletown Conservation Area (designated in 1990) the content of this application has been considered with particular regard to Policy CA/2 SPECIAL PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS of Conservation Areas as set out within Planning Policy Statement 1/01- Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man.
This proposal seeks to demolish the two storey rendered rear annex which houses a kitchen at ground floor and store room over. The Department's retained Structural Engineers The Morton Partnership carried out a site inspection in September 2009 and found that the annex had structural issues, although none which they considered to be insurmountable. They did however; consider that the annex had little merit. When considering an application within a Conservation Area, to take into account whether that application preserves or enhances the character of that conservation area. In doing so, the design of the annex and its impact upon the main body of the church and the character of the conservation area within which they sit are of major consideration. The annex is clearly that, ancillary to the main church designed as it is with a low pitched roof and walls constructed of rendered brickwork. Judging by the design of the windows and doors, the annex may have been designed in 1940s 1950s? Its contribution to the character of the conservation area is negligible and its removal could not be considered to be detrimental to the character of the Conservation Area and is therefore acceptable.
The local authority is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status.
Recommended Decision: Permitted
Date of Recommendation: 14.05.2010
N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal
C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
C 2. This permission relates to the demolition of the existing rear annex and installation of fire door as shown in the drawings received on 9th April, 2010.
I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to the Senior Planning Officer.
Decision Made : Permitted Date : Signed : Senior Planning Officer
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