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The application site comprises the curtilage of a detached, Registered Building (RB 122) located on Church Road within the Onchan Conservation Area.
The proposed development comprises internal and external alterations to, and the change of use of, the building from its former office use, into a residential dwelling.
The application site has been the subject of a number of previous planning applications, one of which is considered material to the assessment of this current planning application.
(93/00585/A) - Approval in principle for conversion of office accommodation to residential dwelling - Application Permitted.
Onchan District Commissioners recommend that the planning application be approved. The Department of Transport Highways Division do not oppose the planning application. The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service recommend the installation of smoke detectors. The Isle of Man Water Authority requests that an informative note be attached to any approval decision notice. The Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and Environment generally support the planning application.
I have considered the content of the application with particular consideration to POLICY RB/5 ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS as set out within Planning Policy Statement 1/01 together with policies Environment Policy 32 and 33 as set out within the Isle of Man Strategic Plan.
I visited the site in February 2006 with the Applicant’s Agent and was able to view the property in its entirety. We discussed the agent’s client requirements and I am able to confirm that this application represents those discussions.
The building was originally constructed between 1833 and 1842 as an Infant School and has since been in use as a band practice room and an office until fairly recently. The renovation works carried out in 1970 (I understand in conjunction with the Isle of Man Victorian Society) included raising the gable end walls to allow the installation of the First Floor accessed via a staircase which ‘came from a house which was being demolished at the time and the oak front door came from St Mary’s Church in Douglas - it was the door to the Confessional’. The works also included the toilet and Kitchen installed beneath the stairs.
Externally, this application proposes the installation of two roof-lights, the creation of a door and screen and the partial blocking up of an existing door and installation of window over, all to the rear of the property. As the works are to the rear of the registered property and do not in my opinion adversely affect the character of the Registered Building or the Conservation Area within which it is located, I am content with these external proposals.
Internally, the works comprise the formation of a Kitchen which will involve the re-positioning of the door to the right hand room on the Ground Floor Plan annotated ‘Office’. In addition, the staircase will need to be re-worked slightly and the partitioning used to create the existing w.c. under the stairs is removed to create a Bathroom. I am content with these internal works and the conversion of the property from office use to a dwelling given the former conversion in 1970. The main internal works only really affect the works carried out in the 1970’s.
I recommend that this application is approved.
It is considered that the following parties that made representations to the planning application meet the criteria of Government Circular 1/06 and should be afforded interested party status:
Onchan District Commissioners; and
The Department of Transport Highways Division.
It is considered that the following parties that made representations to the planning application do not meet the criteria of Government Circular 1/06 and should not be afforded interested party status:
The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service; The Isle of Man Water Authority; and The Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and Environment.
Recommended Decision: Permitted
Date of Recommendation:
C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal
C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
C 2. This approval relates to drawing no.s 070172/1 and 070172/2 date stamped the 10th June 2007.
C 3. PRIOR to the commencement of any building works, a photographic survey must be undertaken to record all existing internal and external features of interest, such a record to be prepared in consultation with the Conservation Officer of the Department
C 4. Prior to the commencement of any works on site, large scale detail drawings of the new door and windows to the rear are to be provided for the approval of the Planning Authority.
C 5. Prior to the commencement of the development, a sample panel of stonework must be prepared (to indicate lime mortar pointing, stone type and coursing) on site, for inspection by the Conservation Officer and approval by the Planning Committee: Autosy
Decision Made : ... Committee Meeting Date : ...
30 August 2007 07/01138/CON Page 4 of 4
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