Officer Planning Report
Planning Report And Recommendations {{table:322793}} ## Considerations {{table:322790}} ## Written Representations ## Consultations {{table:322791}} {{table:322792}}
Officer's Report
The Site
The site is the curtilage of a warehouse building situated to the rear of St. Mary's Church in the heart of Castletown. The building is generally screened from view by the passer-by by the former church and 1, Queen Street although the north western elevation is clearly visible from the car park alongside The Old Grammar School. The building backs on to the beach. The building is a former warehouse which is now used for offices.
The site is the footprint of the building only.
Planning Status
The site lies within a Conservation Area and within an area designated as Mixed Use on both the Castletown Local Plan of 1990 and the draft Southern Area Plan.
The Proposal
Proposed here is the insertion of a new window in the north eastern elevation on the ground floor. The windows in this elevation are random in arrangement - three on each floor but with the ground floor windows offset from the balanced array on the upper two floors. The proposed window would be the same size and opening style as the others on the ground floor.
Planning Policy
As the property lies within a Conservation Area, Environment Policy 35 is appropriate in this case which states:
"Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character of appearance of the area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development."
This reflects the advice provided in Planning Policy Statement 1/01 - Conservation of the Historic Environment.
Planning History
Planning permission was recently granted for the installation of a bay window in the beach-facing elevation (PA 10/1493). Permission has also been granted in the past for other alterations - PA 02/1871, and the conversion of the warehouse to an office occurred under the provisions of PA 90/0380 and PA 89/4039 with a previous application approved to convert the warehouse to a dwelling - PA 88/1143.
Representations
Castletown Commissioners and Highways and Traffic Division indicate that they do not oppose the application.
Assessment
The insertion of the window will not affect the character or appearance of the property and will only be seen by persons using the car park to the rear of St. Mary's Church.
As such, it is considered that the proposal is in accordance with EN 35 and PPS 1/01.
Party Status
The local authority is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status.
The Department of Transport Highways and Traffic Division is now part of the Department of Infrastructure of which the planning authority is part. As such, the Highways and Traffic Division cannot be afforded party status in this instance.
Recommendation
Recommended Decision: Permitted
Date of Recommendation: 15.04.2011
Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal
C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal
- : Notes attached to refusals
C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
C 2. This permission relates to the insertion of a window as shown in drawings 4335/S1, 4335/L1, 4335/P1A, 4335/P2A, 4335/P3A and 4335/P4A all received on 14th March, 2011.
I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to the Senior Planning Officer.
Decision Made : Permitted Date: 3 May 2011
Signed: [Signature] Senior Planning Officer
