14 December 2009 · Senior Planning Officer (delegated under Article 3(13) of the Town and Country (Development Procedure) Order 2005)
Flat 1, 2, Albert Street, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 2qa
The proposal sought retrospective approval for installing a white uPVC front door with an oval-shaped obscure-glazed panel and rectangular glazed panel above, replacing the original timber door on a terraced house.
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The site is in the Windsor Road Conservation Area where development must preserve or enhance character per Environment Policy 35 and not adversely affect townscape per General Policy 2.
Environment Policy 35
Requires development in Conservation Areas to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the area and protect special features. The uPVC door failed this test due to its lack of texture/warmth compared to timber, incongruous design, and failure to respect original architectural detailing like bolection mouldings, harming the historic terrace character.
General Policy 2
Requires development not to adversely affect the character of the surrounding townscape and to respect site/surroundings in design terms. Assessed against criteria (b) and (c); the proposal failed as the PVC door's bland, standardised appearance and wider frame adversely impacted the conservation area's townscape.
no objection to the proposals
The original application PA09/1645/R for installation of a replacement UPVC door to the front elevation was refused because it harmed the character of the conservation area due to incongruous PVC material and design. The appellant argued the door met policy requirements, was in keeping with the streetscene, mistaken belief prior approval covered it, and timber alternative too costly. The inspector found the UPVC door failed to preserve or enhance the conservation area's character, despite a similar unauthorised PVC door at No.12 weakening the Council's case somewhat, but not setting a precedent. The inspector rejected unsubstantiated claims about public preference for PVC and prioritised public interest over private cost concerns, considering cumulative impacts. The appeal was dismissed, with directions for a compliant wooden door application and installation.
Precedent Value
Appeals for non-traditional materials in conservation areas require robust evidence of enhancement; inspectors prioritise policy and cumulative impacts over cost or isolated precedents from errors; undertake thorough site checks as facts can override submitted evidence.
Inspector: Graham Self MA MSc FRTPI
