Planning Officer Report Recommendation

{{table:179542}} be accepted if such proposals are sympathetic to the character and appearance of both the building to be altered and the surrounding area in general." The application site is also within a Conservation Area. Policy L/CRB/PR/4 of the Laxey and Lonan Area Plan Order 2005 states: "Where an area is designated as a Conservation Area, special attention must be paid during the consideration of all planning applications within the area, to the desirability of preserving or enhancing its character or appearance in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1991 (12.(4)." ### Assessment The planning application seeks approval for the erection solar panels on the rear elevation of the approved dwelling. The use of renewable energy sources should be actively supported by the Department and given the location of the proposed solar panels it is concluded that any impact on the setting of the Conservation Area is quite limited. In terms of Energy Policy 4 it is concluded that given the relatively small domestic scale of the proposal it would be unduly onerous on the applicant, obstructive and therefore unreasonable to require the submission of an EIA. It is recommended that the planning application be approved. ### Party Status 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: Laxey Village Commissioners. I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular Nos 44/05 (Delegation of Functions to Director of Planning and Building Control) and 47/05 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer) Decision Made : Permitted Date : 14.10.2007 Signed : _________________________ M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control {{table:179543}}