**Document:** APL Planning Statement **Application:** 22/01016/CON — Registered Building Consent for the installation of roof mounted solar panels and the erection of a storm porch on the rear elevation - RB 93 (in association with application 22/01017/GB) **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2022-12-01 **Parish:** Braddan **Document Type:** report / planning_statement **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/25734-braddan-4-finch-road-registered-building-consent/documents/1033873 --- # APL Planning Statement ## Partington Nixon & Kinrade ### Building Surveying& Architectural Design Planning Application for No.4 Finch Road, Douglas Isle of Man #### Planning Statement Proposed – Re-Roofing With Photo-Voltaic Panels Incorporated And The Construction Of A Rear Storm Porch – 4 Finch Road, Douglas Aalish Ltd This application has been formed following consultation with the Registered Building Officer, Ross Brazier. The property is detached 4 storey office building on Finch Road. A registered building close by the Tynwald Buildings. The proposal is to install Photovoltaic panels on the southern roof slope and the construction of a storm porch at the rear car park entrance to the building to protect the rear entrance door from the wind and rain, particularly easterly driven to which it is highly exposed. In line with the Government lead policies to reduce the Islands carbon emissions, a group of photovoltaic panels are proposed on the southern roof slope, to provide electricity for the buildings needs and to reduce reliance on the mains supply and hopefully to sell surplus onto the Islands mains electricity supply. Visual effect The proposal is for photovoltaic panels to fit onto the existing roof. They are dark coloured, similar to natural slate colour. Views of the roof From the street, views of the roof slopes are limited and thus the proposal will, where viewed look to appear to be that of the natural slate. More distant views The topography allows for some longer distance views of the roof slopes. The solar panels of a colour closely resembling the dark blue/black slate of the adjoining properties slated roofs. The Storm Porch Is to resolve a problem, that of exposure of the existing rear door at lower floor level. It is a main entrance for staff from the rear car park which suffers strong rain, driven by easterly winds. It is constructed to fit visually with the existing building. Insulation/energy use reduction. In carrying out re-roofing, the sub structure will be fitted with a high level of insulating material at roof level. This will lower the level of heating input, currently provided by an oil boiler. It is intended to use surplus electricity generated by the solar photovoltaic panels for heat generation, partially replacing heat generated from the existing boiler. The approval of this application will allow the applicant to support Isle of Man Government policy in reduction in use of fossil fuel energy generation. It is expected that it will. - 1) Provide electric generation to meet the needs of this building with an expected surplus at times high generation and or low use, that will either be stored or fed back into the electric mains supply, or used to supplement heating in the form of electric radiators. - 2) The installation of additional insulation at roof level will contribute to a reduction in heating for the building. - P a g e | 1 STRATEGIC POLICY GENERAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY Development within land use zones The property subject of this applicant is an office with adjoining buildings also being offices. Building is located in the St. Georges mixed use proposal area. It is a Registered Building No.93 on the register and Registered Building consent application accompanies this application. GENERAL POLICY 2 (Development in a land use zone) Sets out consideration requirements. - a) In accordance with the design brief in the area plan where there is such. - b) Respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout scale, form design and landscaping of buildings and spaces around them c)Does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding townscape. - d)Adversely affecting wildlife and local habitats including water course ##### The use of this building is in compliance with the Douglas Plan (area plan for the East) Application is for work to the existing roof and to form a weather porch – no change to roof line, coverings will be the existing slate. Photovoltaic panels are dark coloured. Views of the work are limited and will visually respect the surrounding area. The porch is designed to respect the existing. It is on rear elevation with only limited views from adjoining properties. Proposals impact visually is limited. Street views due to its height on the locality are limited. Other views from surrounding buildings are long distance and compatible in that the proposal is the existing roof with dark coloured panels on the roof slope. Impact will be low and sympathetic and the main visual impact of the building which will remain intact. The porch has been designed in conjunction with the Registered Building Officer to fit the existing. None to impact - P a g e | 2 - e) Views of the sea - f) Existing topography - g) Amenity of local residents or character of locality. - h) Access/Parking/Servicing - i) Road safety - j) Services - k) Prejudicial to adjoining development - l) Contaminated land/flooding - m) Safety/security - n) Energy – reducing consumption. ##### No more impact than exists at present. No change to existing topography No known impact on local residents in a mainly office/Government building location. The porch is located behind the premises in The car park and the panels set on the roof slope with limited views from the street. No change to existing. No change to existing. As existing. No known impact on any development of adjoining area. Not applicable Not applicable The photovoltaic panels will be positive in producing electricity for the building to meet existing need with surplus at times and reduction in energy from the existing oil fired boiler used for heating also, in line with overall Government policy to reduce use of fossil fuels P a g e | 3 --- *Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).* *Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/25734-braddan-4-finch-road-registered-building-consent/documents/1033873*