**Document:** Officer Planning Report
**Application:** 11/00123/B — Alterations, erection of extension and first floor extension to dwelling
**Decision:** Permitted
**Decision Date:** 2011-03-14
**Parish:** Braddan
**Document Type:** report / officer_report
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/475-braddan-la-serene-extension-dwelling/documents/1242962

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# Officer Planning Report

## Planning Report And Recommendations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Written Representations ### Consultations [Table omitted in markdown export]

### Officer's Report

## THE APPLICATION SITE AND PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

The application site comprises the residential curtilage of a detached dwelling that is located on the southern side of Little Mill Road in Onchan.

The proposed development comprises alterations, erection of extension and first floor extension to dwelling.

## PLANNING HISTORY

The application site has not been the subject of any previous planning applications that are considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application.

REPRESENTATIONS Onchan District Commissioners recommend that the planning application be approved. The Department of Infrastructure Highways Division do not oppose the planning application. PLANNING POLICY

In terms of local plan policy, the application site is located within a wider area of land that is designated as open space under the Onchan Local Plan. Policy O/RES/P/21 of the written statement (Planning Circular 1/2000) that accompanies the Onchan Local Plan states:

"Extensions and alterations to existing residential property will generally not be opposed where such proposals are appropriate in terms of scale, massing, design, appearance and impact on adjacent property."

In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 contains one policy that is considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application. Housing Policy 16 states:

"The extension of non-traditional dwellings or those of poor or inappropriate form will not generally be permitted where this would increase the impact of the building as viewed by the public."

## ASSESSMENT

The planning application seeks approval for alterations, erection of extension and first floor extension to dwelling. The proposal was the subject of pre-application discussion with the applicant and their agent.

The existing dwelling is clearly a dwelling of non-traditional appearance that is located within the countryside. It is appropriate to assess the alteration and extension of the dwelling against Housing Policy 16 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007. Unlike other housing policies this policy does not refer to any specific increases in floorspace. Rather it states that the extension of non-traditional dwellings will not generally be permitted where this would increase the impact of the building as viewed by the public. In this instance the existing dwelling is particularly well screened by significant trees and other vegetation that around the application site and also within the surrounding area. From site visits in and around the application site it appears that the existing dwelling cannot be seen from outside of the application site. Whilst the proposed alterations and extensions increase the size, and height, of the dwelling it is envisaged that the visual presence of the dwelling outside of the application site would remain low. As such, the proposal is concluded to accord with the provisions of Housing Policy 16 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007. Furthermore, it could be legitimately said that the proposal constitutes an improvement in the overall design and appearance of the dwelling, something that should be generally welcomed.

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 should be afforded interested party status:

Onchan District Commissioners

It is considered that the following parties that made representations to the planning application should not be afforded interested party status:

The Department of Infrastructure Highways Division

[Table omitted in markdown export]

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*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/475-braddan-la-serene-extension-dwelling/documents/1242962*