Officer Planning Report
Considerations {{table:2594}} {{table:2591}} ### Written Representations ### Consultations {{table:2592}} {{table:2593}}
Officer's Report
The Site
The site is the curtilage of 36, Arbory Street, on the northern side of the street. Bagnio House lies to the east, alongside a lane leading to The Coach House and number 38 is attached to the west. The application site accommodates the main house and outbuildings at the rear including a garage with a garage door leading out onto the side lane (which is not included within the defined site). A 2m high wall abuts the lane which in places is part of the main dwelling.
Planning Status
The site lies within an area designated on the Castletown Local Plan of 1990 and the draft Area Plan as Residential.
The Proposal
Proposed now is the replacement of the garage door with a roller shutter door which is 4.5m wide compared with the existing garage door which is 2.6m wide, together with the lowering of the existing parapet by 0.55m to make the wall a consistent height along its length.
Planning Policy
Environment Policy 35 states: "Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character of appearance of the area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development."
Planning History
Planning permission has been sought and granted for various alterations - PA 87/0749 and PA 93/0272 both approved.
Representations
The Highways Authority indicate that they do not oppose the application subject to a condition regarding working within the highway. This is not proposed.
Castletown Commissioners indicate that they approve the application.
Assessment
The wall and garage door are just visible from Arbory Street albeit at an acute angle. From here the details of the garage door are not visible nor is the elevated section of wall above it. As such, the proposed roller shutter door will not be conspicuous or detrimental to the character or appearance of the Conservation Area and the proposal is considered to be acceptable.
Party Status
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.
The Department of Transport Highways and Traffic Division is now part of the Department of Infrastructure of which the planning authority is part. As such, the Highways and Traffic Division cannot be afforded party status in this instance.
Recommendation
Recommended Decision: Permitted
Date of Recommendation: 04.03.2011
Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal
C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal
- : Notes attached to refusals
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 alterations shown in drawings 01, 02 and 03 all received on 4th February, 2011.
I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to the Senior Planning Officer.
Decision Made : Permitted Date : 4/3/11
Signed : [Signature] Senior Planning Officer
