2 June 2011 · Council of Ministers
Junction Improvement Scheme, Mines Road, Foxdale, Isle Of Man, IM4 3ef
The proposal involved demolishing Bridge House, a two-storey end-of-terrace building at the south-eastern corner of the T-junction between Main Road (A3) and Mines Road (A24) in the village of Foxdale, to allow radiused corners, wider footways, improved visibility (from 9m left to better standards), and better geometry…
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The inspector determined the application according to the development plan (Foxdale Local Plan 1999), which did not propose or policy-support road improvements at this junction and likely expressed ne…
Foxdale Village Plan Policy - Registered Buildings
Requires all buildings referenced in paras 8.2-8.8 (including Bridge House group) to retain original features/appearance as far as possible. Inspector found demolition conflicted as Local Plan designates as Building of Interest contributing to village character; no road policy countered this.
Foxdale Local Plan Recommendation on Buildings Report
Recommends report on mining history buildings for registration. No report done; Bridge House studied but compromised by alterations per Conservation Officer, yet plan's heritage emphasis prevailed over individual merit.
Recommends approval as it will significantly improve visibility and highway safety for all users
no comment
Underground cables/overhead lines present; contact for working practices (Note 1)
Highways Division supports the junction improvements for better visibility and safety; heritage consultant Patricia Newton and local residents strongly object to demolition of Bridge House due to its historical mining significance; Manx Electricity Authority requests contact regarding utilities; Patrick Parish Commissioners request deferral for consultation.
Key concern: demolition of Bridge House, a Building of Interest with mining heritage
Department of Infrastructure Highways Division
SupportRecommends Approval. This application will significantly improve visibility at this location and improve highway safety for all road users.; No adverse traffic impacts
Manx Electricity Authority
Conditional No ObjectionThere are Underground Cables/Overhead Lines present in the area indicated in you Planning Application.
Conditions requested: applicant must contact the Authority; Contact our Network Operations Department, Manx Electricity Authority, (Tel. 687687) to discuss working practices around Cables and Overhead Lines which may be required to be diverted before any work can be carried out on site; Contact the M.E.A. for Electrical Site Safety 5 documents, (Tel. 687766), before any work is carried out on site. All work to be carried out with reference to Health and Safety Executive Guidance Notes HS(G)47 & GS6
Patrick Parish Commissioners
No CommentThe following Applications have a consultation period that ends before the Commissioners are next due to meet. The next meeting is on Monday, December 13th when the matters will be considered, and it would be helpful if consideration could be deferred until after the end of that week.
Patricia Newton Heritage Objection
ObjectionThe proposal is to demolish Bridge House in its entirety to enable better visibility on the junction of Mines Road and Main Road (A24).; Physically it will destroy the heart of the village.; All of the buildings referred to in paragraphs 8.2-8.8 inclusive must as far as possible, retain their original features and appearance.
The original application for junction improvements, including demolition of Bridge House to improve visibility and geometry, was refused, though specific refusal reasons are not detailed in the documents. The appellant argued poor visibility, junction geometry issues for large vehicles, and 9 accidents since 2005 justified the works. The planning authority acknowledged highway safety benefits but noted conflict with Foxdale Local Plan protection of Bridge House as a Building of Interest, ultimately concluding safety should take priority. Third parties objected strongly on heritage grounds. The inspector found the development plan opposed road improvements and gave insufficient weight to highway safety evidence due to lack of accident severity data, historical comparisons, and unassessed alternatives like speed reduction; historic considerations carried elevated weight. The inspector recommended permission be refused.
Precedent Value
This appeal shows development plans hold strong weight even against safety arguments if not evidenced robustly; future highway proposals in heritage-sensitive villages must provide comprehensive accident analysis, historical context, and rule out non-demolition alternatives to overcome plan opposition.
Inspector: David Ward
