**Document:** DEC Officers Report **Application:** 14/00579/B — Alterations to dwelling including creation of bay windows and replacement of a balcony **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2014-06-20 **Parish:** Malew **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/34831-malew-walton-house-replacement-dwelling/documents/1089921 --- # DEC Officers Report ### Officer's Report [Table omitted in markdown export] #### 1.0 The Site 1.1 The application site is the curtilage of Walton House, Bridge Road, Ballasalla which is a two storey detached dwelling situated to the southern side of the highway. The dwelling is set within relatively large grounds; there is also a garage and ancillary accommodation within the site. 1.2 The main part of the dwelling is a double fronted traditional property which has had some unfortunate extensions to the side and rear which have watered down the original appearance of the dwelling. The original windows have also been replaced and now have top opening casement windows. Many of the original, traditional features have been lost. 1.3 The side elevation of the dwelling forms part of the boundary wall which continues along boundary adjacent to the highway. #### 2.0 The Proposal 2.1 The application seeks approval for alterations to the property which include the installation of two solar panels on the rear, the removal of the sliding patio doors on the side elevation and the installation of a bay window. Also proposed is the installation of a bay window on the front elevation of the extension which would have French doors. #### 3.0 Planning History 3.1 There have been a number of previous applications none of which are considered to be specifically material in the assessment of the current application. #### 4.0 Development Plan Policies 4.1 The application site is within an area zoned as "Predominantly Residential" identified on The Area Plan for the South 2013. It is also within the "Proposed Conservation Area". Given the nature of the application it is appropriate to consider General Policy 2, Environment Policy 35 and Energy Policy 4 of The Isle of Man Strategic Plan (20th June 2007). #### 4.2 General Policy 2 Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption. ### 4.3 Environment Policy 35 Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development. ### 4.4 Energy Policy 4 Development involving alternative sources of energy supply, including wind, water and tide power, and the use of solar panels, will be judged against the environmental objectives and policies set out in this Plan. Installations involving wind, water and tide power will require the submission of an EIA. ### 5.0 Consultations #### 5.1 Malew Commissioners do not object ### 6.0 Assessment 6.1 The application seeks approval for the alterations to the property. The main issues to consider in the assessment of the application are the impacts upon the character and appearance of the property and area in general and the impact upon the amenities of neighbouring properties. 6.2 The main part of the dwelling is traditional in appearance but has had a number of unsympathetic extensions which have significantly altered the appearance of the dwelling. There would be no alterations proposed to the main part of the dwelling, the alterations would be to the extended part of the building. These alterations include the creation of a bay on the front elevation and a bay on the side elevation to give access from the living room. The doors which would be installed in the bays would be uPVC and would have Georgian glazing bars. The Georgian glazing bars would not be wholly in keeping with the rest of the property but would not be readily visible from the public thoroughfare. The installation of the bay in the side elevation is considered to be an enhancement as it would remove two sets of sliding patio doors which are not particularly attractive. 6.3 The other works include alterations to the balcony. These works involve the removal of the timber handrails and installation of an imitation wrought iron balcony to be in keeping with the period of the dwelling. These works are considered to enhance the appearance of the property, but again would not be readily visible from the public thoroughfare. 6.4 The application also proposes the installation of two solar panels on the rear elevation; again this would be on the extended part of the dwelling. The solar panels proposed under this application are not particularly attractive but have been sited so that they would not be highly visible from the street scene. The extension at the rear of the property would provide screening of the proposed solar panels and therefore would not have an undue impact upon the character and appearance of the street scene. 6.5 The bays would be installed at ground floor, no additional windows are proposed at first floor level and therefore the proposal would not result in an increase in overlooking or undue loss of privacy. The works are considered to be of a sufficient distance from neighbouring properties and therefore would not have an undue impact upon the amenities of neighbouring properties. 6.6 For the above reasons the application is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for approval. ### 7.0 Party Status 7.1 The local authority, Malew Commissioners are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No 2) Order 2013, paragraph 6 (4) (e), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded interested person status. ### Recommendation **Recommended Decision:** Permitted **Date of Recommendation:** 16.06.2014 ### Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal C: Conditions for approval N: Notes attached to conditions R: Reasons for refusal O: Notes attached to refusals C 1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. **Reason:** To comply with article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals. N. Drawing Numbers 01, 02 and 03 date stamped 12th May 2014. I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control /Head of Development Management/ Senior Planning Officer. **Decision Made:** Permitted **Date:** 16/6/14 ### Determining officer (delete as appropriate) Signed: _________________________ Chris Balmer **Senior Planning Officer** Signed: _________________________ Signed: Sarah Corlett **Senior Planning Officer** Signed: _________________________ Michael Gallagher Jennifer Chance Director of Planning and Building Control Michael Gallagher Jennifer Chance Director of Planning and Building Control Head of Development Management 16 June 2014 Head of Development Management 16 June 2014 --- *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/34831-malew-walton-house-replacement-dwelling/documents/1089921*