**Document:** DEC Officers Report **Application:** 14/00554/B — Rendering works to both gable elevations **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2014-06-13 **Parish:** Malew **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/34854-malew-malew-house/documents/1090011 --- # DEC Officers Report Case Officer: Miss Melissa McKnight Photo Taken: 23.05.2014 Site Visit: 23.05.2014 Expected Decision Level : Officer Delegation ## Officer's Report 1.0 THE APPLICATION SITE 1.1 The application site is the residential curtilage of 48 Malew Street, a three storey mid terraced dwelling located on the eastern side of Malew Street in Castletown. The site is within the Castletown Conservation Area. 1.2 The immediate area is characterised by a mix of two and three storey traditional terraced dwellings. 2.0 THE PROPOSAL 2.1 This current planning application seeks approval for the rendering of the existing gable ends which are currently stone. The render would be a sand/lime smooth render to match the rendered front and rear elevation of the dwelling. 3.0 PLANNING HISTORY 3.1 The application site has been the subject of five previous planning applications, none of which are considered materially relevant to the assessment of this current planning application. 4.0 PLANNING POLICY 4.1 In terms of local plan policy, the application site is zoned as Predominantly Residential under the Area Plan for the South 2013. As previously mentioned, the application site is within the Castletown Conservation Area. 4.2 In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 contains two policies that are considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application: General Policy 2 states: "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: [Table omitted in markdown export] - (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; - (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; - (d) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; - (e) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption." Environmental Policy 35 states: "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." ### 5.0 Representations 5.1 At the time of writing there have been no written representations made regarding the current planning application. ### 6.0 Assessment 6.1 Given the nature of the planning application it is imperative to consider the impacts of the replacement windows on the Castletown Conservation Area and street scene of Malew Street. 6.2 The historic and original buildings of Castletown are built of the same local limestone as the castle. The narrow streets of the town radiate from the Castle and the parade, to form a town of great character and charm. Despite the peripheral development in more recent times, the essential Castletown remains to be preserved. 6.3 Conservation ensures the protection of something from damage, deterioration or even development by an act of preservation. The results of conservation are greatly enhanced where original materials and features can be re-used or saved. 6.4 Environment 35 sets out the policy in regards to development within a Conservation Area. The policy states that development would only be permitted within a Conservation Area if the development would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the area and the area is protected against inappropriate development. It is judged that the re-rendering of either gable end would not deter from the locality or harm the existing character of the building given the existing front and rear rendered elevations and the existing rendered dwellings and buildings within the area. 6.5 Whilst the stone would be lost, the introduction of render would provide a more symmetrical, integrated and sympathetic appearance to the street scene and as such the proposal is judged to preserve the character and quality of Castletown Conservation Area. 6.6 The Conservation Officer, who has viewed the plans, is content with the proposal. ### 7.0 Recommendation 7.1 Overall, it is concluded that the planning application is in accordance with General Policy 2 and Environment Policy 35 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 and the planning application is recommended for approval. ### 8.0 Party Status 8.1 In line with Article 6(4) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013, the following Persons are considered to have sufficient interest in the subject matter of the application to take part in any subsequent proceedings relating to the application: the applicant or, if there is one, the applicant's agent; the owner and occupier of the land the subject of the application, Highway Services, and the Local Authority in whose district the land the subject of the application sits. ### Recommendation **Recommended Decision:** Permitted **Date of Recommendation:** 10.06.2014 ### Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal - : 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. This approval relates to DRAWING NUMBER 002 and REF: PH1 date stamped as received on 6th 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 :** 12/6/14 ### Determining officer (delete as appropriate) Signed : ... Chris Balmer Senior Planning Officer Signed : ... Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control Signed : ... Jennifer Chance Head of Development Management --- *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/34854-malew-malew-house/documents/1090011*