CHIEF SECRETARY'S OFFICE

Oik yn Ard-Scrudeyr

Our Ref: DF11/0008 Planning Application Ref.No: 11/00330/B

THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1999

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING DEVELOPMENT (PROCEDURE ORDER) 2005

Planning Secretary Planning and Building Control Department of Infrastructure Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas

| Applicant: | Isle Of Man Water & Sewerage Authority | | --- | --- | | Proposal: | Re-construction of downstream apron, Laxey River Weir Opposite | | | New Fire Station Mines Road Laxey Isle Of Man |

In accordance with paragraph 10 of the above Order, the person appointed by the Council of Ministers to consider this application has submitted his report.

In accordance with paragraph 10.3(a) and (b), a copy of the appointed persons report is enclosed.

On the 14th July 2011, and after consultation, the Council of Ministers accepted the recommendation contained within that report and the application was approved subject to compliance with the conditions specified below.

Date of Issue: 19th July 2011

Chief Secretary's Office Government Offices Bucks Road Douglas

Mr A Johnstone Planning Appeals Administrator

SCHEDULE OF CONDITIONS:

1. The development hereby permitted shall be commenced before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
2. This planning approval relates to drawing no. DR1007 103 rev. A date stamped 8th March 2011.

DF11/0008

PA 11/00330/B

Crown Division

Government Office

Douglas

Isle of Man

IM1 3PN

Wednesday 6th July 2011

To the Council of Ministers,

Planning Application Ref: 11/00330/B

CSO Ref: DF11/0008

Applicant: Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority

Application: Re-construction of downstream apron, Laxey River Weir, opposite the new Fire Station, Mines Road, Laxey.

1. I have the honour to report that on 13th June 2011 I inspected the site of the proposed development. The application is being dealt with under the written representations procedure. This report contains a site description, a summary of statements and representations received in connection with the application and my assessment and recommendation.

Site description

2. The application site comprises land contained within the Laxey River approximately opposite the New Fire Station on Mines Road.

The proposed development

3. The authority proposes to re-construct a downstream apron within the river using large boulders of 1-3 ton size to fill the scour hole. This would be topped off with progressively smaller boulders and finally river gravels. The river will require damming and diversion of the flow to below the weir apron.

Applicant Authority's justification of the application

4. The work is necessary in the discharging of the Authority's legal obligations for "Main Rivers" under the Land Drainage Act 1934 and aims to prevent scour and undermining of structural elements to prevent failure and collapse.

Consultation

5. Laxey Village Commissioners recommends approval of the application.

Representations

6. No representations have been received.

Reports

Department of Infrastructure Directorate of Planning and Building Control

7. The following policies are relevant: General Policy 2 and Environment policies 7 and 35 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007; Policies L/HR/P2/3 and L/CRB/PR/4 of the Laxey and Lonan Area Plan Order 2005. The site lies within Laxey Conservation Area. There is no relevant planning history.

8. The proposed development, which is contained entirely within the riverbed, is the repair of the existing apron that has eroded over time. These works are required to ensure the ongoing management and protection of the Laxey River.

9. The development would have limited impact on public amenity and the conservation area and is unobjectionable. There is no impact on private amenity or highway safety arising from the proposal.

10. It is recommended that the planning application be approved.

Inspector's Assessment and Recommendation

11. The proposal is a routine item of river maintenance under the Land Drainage Act 1934 and meets all the relevant criteria in General Policy 2 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007.

12. Since the proposed works would enhance the drainage performance of the watercourse and would have a neutral effect on the conservation area it accords with Environment Policies 7 and 35 of the Strategic Plan and policy L/CRB/PR/4 of the Laxey and Lonan Area Plan Order 2005.

13. The works would not adversely affect the appearance or the quality of the river and therefore would comply with L/HR/P2/3 of the Laxey and Lonan Area Plan Order 2005.

14. Having visited the site and its surroundings I agree with the assessment of the Dol Directorate of Planning and Building Control. Therefore I recommend that the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

    1. The development hereby permitted shall be commenced before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
    2. This planning approval relates to drawing no. DR1007 103 rev. A date stamped 8th March 2011

I have the honour to be, Sirs, your obedient servant

G Farrington Independent Inspector