6 October 2010 · Council of Ministers
The Ornamental Gateway, Marine Drive, Port Soderick, Isle Of Man, IM1 5bz
Manx Wildlife Trust proposed installing three interpretive information boards, each 600mm high by 1000mm wide, mounted on single square posts along the north eastern side of a level viewing platform at The Ornamental Gateway on Marine Drive, Port Soderick.
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The site is designated as open space and nature conservation area outside development zones, so General Policy 3 applies, presuming against development except for specified circumstances including '(h…
General Policy 3
Presumes against development outside zoned areas except specified circumstances including '(h) building or works required for the interpretation of the countryside'. The information boards qualify as interpretive works in a nature conservation area, making the proposal acceptable despite the open space designation.
Environment Policy 32
Prohibits extensions or alterations to registered buildings that detrimentally affect character. Assessed via Planning Policy Statement 1/01; platform is secondary element, special interest in archway unaffected as proposals are small-scale and distant, with public benefits outweighing any setting harm.
Planning Policy Statement 1/01 - Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man
Governs alterations to registered buildings by assessing elements of special interest. Inspector confidently concluded interest lies in archway, not platform; proposals have little visual impact due to scale and separation.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Recommend approval / had no objection
Braddan Commissioners stated no objection to application PA10 00490 for installation of information boards by Manx Wildlife Trust at Marine Drive Port Soderick.
Braddan Commissioners
No ObjectionThe Commissioners had no objection to the following planning applications:; - PA10 00490 - Manx Wildlife Trust - Installation of information boards - Marine Drive Port Soderick
The original application (10/00490/D) by Manx Wildlife Trust sought advertisement consent for three interpretive information boards on a platform adjacent to the Ornamental Gateway (a Registered Building) to promote marine wildlife viewing. The site is in open space and nature conservation areas outside development zones per Braddan Parish District Local Plan. No explicit refusal reasons are stated, but council highlighted General Policy 3 (presumption against development outside zoned areas except for countryside interpretation) and Environment Policy 32 (no detrimental alterations to Registered Buildings). Inspector David Ward conducted a site visit on 27 June 2010, concluded the small-scale proposal fits GP3(h) exception, causes negligible harm to the Registered Building's character, and public benefits outweigh any minor harm. Recommended approval subject to conditions; Council of Ministers accepted on 9 September 2010, issuing notice 6 October 2010, omitting two maintenance conditions as highway matters.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates interpretive structures for wildlife education qualify under GP3(h) in countryside/open space; public benefits can outweigh minor Registered Building setting harm if proposals are small-scale and remote from key features.
Inspector: David Ward
