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Department of Environment Food & Agriculture Planning & Building Control Directorate Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas IM1 2SF
RE: THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE, MAIN ROAD, SULBY, IM7 2HP.
2007001
HISTORY
The building evolved as a boys and girls school, opening its doors on 2nd July 1879.
As time moved on the facilities and fabric of the school building were not adequate or sufficient any longer to continue with the children's education in the latter part of the 20th century, and it was time to build a brand new state of the art school, literally next door which would take the primary school into the 21st century.
The commercial use of "The Old School House" therefore came to an end and the doors closed in July 1991.
PLANNING HISTORY
On the 24th April 1998 The Old School House was entered in the Protected Building Register (this applied only to the footprint of the building itself, it did not include the grounds).
THE EFFECT OF THIS REGISTRATION IS TO RESTRICT THE DEMOLITION, ALTERATION OR EXTENSION OF THE BUILDING WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
On the 6th November 2000 approval in principle for change of use from School to Private dwelling was approved (REF – 00/01173/GA).
On the 21st February 2001 conversion of the School House to a Dwelling with a new single storey kitchen/conservatory and a double garage was approved (REF – 00/01660/GB).
NB. The conversion of "The Old School House" was very poorly carried out resulting unfortunately in a depressing internal arrangement.
However, during the lifetime of the building (now 140 years old), this protected property deserves to have its life again extended into the 21st century by allowing the conversion of the large existing dwelling to now create two new dwellings.
You must remember that permission was granted in 2001 to Convert "The Old School House" into family accommodation and by doing so this has allowed the building to be of continued use.
Now some 19 years later, the property's character and soul can be further enjoyed, this time by two new families instead!
The External Appearance of the property to the front elevation will not be changed, apart from the proposed essential repairs that are all desperately required to maintain its general good looks! "THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE" NO LONGER SITS COMFORTABLY ON THE PLOT IT ONCE DOMINATED. The previous vendor had realised its development potential and obtained detailed planning permission for two building plots i.e. one to the East (behind the Church and Chapel) and one to the West of The Old School House.
Our aim is to improve the energy efficiency as far as is reasonably practical. The work that we propose to carry out WILL NOT prejudice the character of the host building or increase the risk of long term deterioration of the building fabric or fittings, which unfortunately was the case when planning permission had been granted to convert the school into a residential dwelling.
All main services are available for connection to the site i.e. electricity and water. The land is not at risk of flooding. The site is not contaminated. The ground is not unstable. The property is not within a "conservation area". The site has its own means of access (please refer to colour photographs attached). The changes that we wish to adopt i.e. the Conversion of AN OVERSIZED PRIVATE DWELLING into two very comfortable sized family dwellings would without doubt sit now more comfortably into this site.
POSITIVE REASONS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL CONVERSION OF "THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE" INTO TWO SEMI-DETACHED SELF CONTAINED DWELLINGS.
There exists already TWO SEPARATE EXTERNAL FRONT DOORS i.e. one on each side of the building to serve as the main entrance doors.
Historically the building had been separated internally as two units to form two large classrooms. The visibility splays have already been approved for dwelling No. 1 as it shares the entrance/driveway with the new property that was granted planning permission on 11th December 2019 (Ref 19/00087/B) land to the east of the Old School House.
The proposed dwelling No. 2 already benefits from its own private driveway directly off "Main Road" and now already enjoys the extra visibility with the Highways \& Planning Departments approval in the reduction in height of the pillars to the front boundary.
Both the proposed semi-detached dwellings will enjoy more than adequate amenity space and ample off street parking is available.
Planning approval would provide an opportunity to undo much of the poor workmanship that had been carried out in the original conversion into a residential dwelling. It would also allow us to provide now TWO tastefully transformed and fully equipped family homes that EACH MEASURES IN EXCESS OF 2,000 SQUARE FEET.
"The Old School House" from the front will remain totally unchanged. We will need however to attend to urgent external repairs that on your inspection will be very apparent.
NB. Please note that the existing pitched roof does not have the benefit of any felt covering underneath.
We have seriously considered the impact of the INTERNAL WORKS on the fabric and character of the building and can confirm that there no longer exists any important original features of any kind apart from the dividing internal screen as endorsed by Austin Heritage Consultants (Please refer to the report dated 28th July 2019).
AS THE APPLICANT WE HAVE ILLUSTRATED THAT THE EFFECT OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGES UPON THE ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORIC INTEREST OF THE BUILDING HAS BEEN MINIMISED.
This building has had its own life and story to tell, evolving over many chapters and they have played, and continue to play its part in our human lives too!
Our proposals will protect and enhance the Registered Protected Building.
REGISTERED STATUS DOESN'T NECESSARILY PREVENT, IT MERELY MEANS THAT CONSIDERATION IS REQUIRED.
Buildings and structures tell stories, we are adding a new chapter that will be appreciated by future generations, THE KEY TO THIS BUILDINGS LONGEVITY IS CONTINUED USEFULLNESS!!
This property now has a new story to tell and a very important part to play in enhancing the lives of not just one family, but now for two families and for generations ahead.
We now look forward to the Planning Department and Planning Committee looking favourably on our application for the Residential Conversion of this existing Residential Property.
Yours faithfully
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