2 June 2011 · Council of Ministers
Bridge Appron - Laxey River, Mines Road, Laxey, Isle Of Man, IM4 7nj
The proposal involved reconstructing the river apron with vertical stone pitching set in C35 concrete and repairing side walling using concrete bagwork faced with stone, at the site under Mines Road Bridge over Laxey River near the Laxey Wheel car park.
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The inspector noted visible erosion of the existing apron and wall during a site visit on 9 May 2011, emphasising that the bridge is critical infrastructure requiring maintenance in the public interes…
Policy L/HR/P2/3 of the Local Plan
Requires no development adversely affecting river appearance or quality or wildlife. The officer assessed that the repairs, using sympathetic materials, would not harm river quality and were necessary to protect the bridge, with close consultation advised for water integrity.
Conservation Area Policy 4 of Laxey and Lonan Area Plan Order 2005
Requires special attention to preserving or enhancing Conservation Area character and appearance. The inspector found the works vital to preserving the traditional stone bridge, which forms part of the area's character.
Environment Policy 7
Prohibits development harming watercourses, normally not within 8m to protect habitats, requiring risk assessments and mitigation. Potential conflict acknowledged, but exception granted as indisputable for river maintenance works.
General Policy 2
Sets criteria for development including protecting watercourses, landscape character, and safety. Assessed compliant as repairs respect surroundings, provide community safety by maintaining infrastructure, and cause no adverse amenity or traffic effects.
Environment Policy 35
Permits only development preserving or enhancing Conservation Areas. The proposal complies by protecting the bridge's contribution to area character.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Approved plans
This planning approval relates to drawing no. 104 rev. B date stamped 8th March 2011.
recommend approval
Laxey Village Commissioners recommend approval of the planning application for repair work to the apron at Bridge Apron, Laxey River.
Laxey Village Commissioners
Supportthe Board recommends approval of the above application
The original planning application 11/00352/B for reconstruction of a river apron and side walling beneath a bridge in Laxey was under consideration, with no explicit refusal stated but potential conflicts noted with policies protecting watercourses and Conservation Areas. The appellant highlighted severe erosion threatening the bridge foundations. The Planning Division cited policies requiring protection of rivers, Conservation Area character, and prohibiting development within 8m of watercourses. The inspector, after a site visit, found the repairs essential for public infrastructure, blending with surroundings, and necessary to preserve the bridge and Conservation Area character, overriding the normal 8m watercourse buffer. No substantive policy conflicts were identified. The inspector recommended granting permission with standard conditions.
Precedent Value
Essential infrastructure repairs in Conservation Areas and watercourse buffer zones can be approved where vital to preserve structures contributing to area character, provided materials blend sympathetically; exceptions to standard buffers justified by public need.
Inspector: David Ward
