8 January 2010 · Senior Planning Officer (delegated authority)
Laxey Wheel, Wheel Hill, Laxey, Isle Of Man, IM4 7nl
The application sought permission for a modest stepped access ramp and use of part of a field as a seating/picnic area within the curtilage of the Laxey Wheel heritage site and adjacent field in Laxey. This followed a withdrawn prior application that included a mobile catering unit, which raised concerns.
Click a button above to find applications similar to this one.
See how this application compares to similar ones — policies, conditions, and outcomes side by side.
The proposal was assessed as modest and largely temporary in nature, requiring minimal work to remove and restore the site, making it reversible.
Policy L/OSNC/PR/1
Presumes against development in open space areas. Officer assessed the modest, temporary picnic area and ramp as acceptable exception due to link to heritage interpretation.
Policy L/CRB/PR/1 - Archaeology
Prohibits development adversely affecting archaeological features or settings, requiring Manx National Heritage consultation. Proposal by Manx National Heritage near Laxey Wheel found not to adversely affect setting.
Conservation Area Policy 4 of Laxey and Lonan Area Plan Order 2005
Requires special attention to preserving or enhancing Conservation Area character. Stepped ramp and picnic area deemed not to unduly affect Laxey Conservation Area setting.
Policy L/CRB/PR/6 - Laxey Wheel and the Mines Complex
Recognises international significance of Laxey Wheel, encouraging UNESCO status. Proposal enhances heritage site by improving visitor facilities.
General Policy 3
Restricts development outside zoned areas except for specific exceptions including 'buildings or works required for interpretation of the countryside, its wildlife or heritage'. Officer applied this exception directly to the proposal.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside unless overriding national need with no alternative. Site in countryside but accepted under heritage interpretation exception.
Environment Policy 2
Protects high landscape value areas unless no harm to character. Modest development found not to harm landscape character.
Environment Policy 35
Permits only development preserving or enhancing Conservation Areas. Proposal considered arguably an enhancement.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Approved drawings
This approval relates to drawing no.s 09/2271/03 and 09/2271/04 date stamped the 10th November 2009.
recommends approval of this application
