**Document:** Planning Report and Recommendations **Application:** 09/01478/GB — Alterations and extension to office building (In association with 09/01479CON) **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2010-02-16 **Parish:** Braddan **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/63941-braddan-conister-house-16-extension/documents/1388623 --- # Planning Report and Recommendations **Application No.:** ** 09/01478/GB ** **Applicant:** ** AM Properties Limited ** **Proposal:** ** Alterations and extension to office building (In association with 09/01479CON) ** **Site Address:** ** - Conister House - 16 - 18 Finch Road - Douglas - Isle Of Man - IM1 2PT ### Considerations **Case Officer:** Mr Ian Brooks ** **Photo Taken:** ** - ** **Site Visit:** ** - ** **Expected Decision Level:** ** Senior Planning Officer ### Written Representations ### Consultations **Consultee:** Highways Division **Notes:** Do not oppose has no traffic management, parking or road safety. - **Note:** This proposal is providing 2 additional off street parking spaces. **Consultee:** Douglas Corporation **Notes:** No objection **Consultee:** Disability Access Officer **Notes:** comments received **Consultee:** Drainage Services Manager **Notes:** No objection ### Officer's Report #### Planning Status And Relevant Policies Within the adopted Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007, the following policies are considered to be relevant in the determination of this application: General Policy 2, Environment Policy 32 #### Assessment: ##### Conservation Officer'S Report As the properties are two Registered Buildings (RB 98 and 99) the content of this application has been considered with particular regard to POLICY RB/5 ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS as set out within Planning Policy Statement 1/01- Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man. I have had an opportunity to visit the site with the applicant's agent and have worked through their proposals with them. 4 February 2010 09/01478/GB Page 1 of 3 External Alterations on to Finch Road: The windows to the front elevation onto Finch Road are modern copies of the multi-paned 'Georgian style' timber sliding sash. These proposals seek to retain, refurbish and repaint those existing windows which is satisfactory. The proposal is the re-introduction of railings to the frontage of the property 'to match those of 12/14 Finch Road, also registered'. The re-introduction is non-contentious; the applicant appends photography of No. 14 Finch Road with annotations to indicate the sizing of the steel components to be used. The concern with the introduction of such railings is the visual 'weight' of the railings as in most cases, modern materials are too slim. In this case, the specification on the attached photographs is sufficient to suggest that the replication will be faithful and therefore acceptable. The removal and replacement of the flat roofed toilet block with a 'lean-to' roof on the right hand side of the front elevation is considered an enhancement over the existing structure as approved in a previous application. A sample of the roof slate to be used has been submitted and is considered to be acceptable. The note 'refurbish front steps' is ambiguous. The site visit revealed a set of concrete steps with little or no historic value. The applicant's agent indicated a desire to replace the concrete with Yorkshire. The basis of the proposal is acceptable as this is used elsewhere in Douglas and across the Island on buildings of similar status. External Alterations to the Rear Elevation: The replacement of the window with a door to offer access directly from the car park into the lower ground floor of the office is acceptable as the window is a poor modern PVC unit. The reintroduction of a period correct sliding sash at a later date is relatively straightforward. ## PLANNING OFFICER'S REPORT I concur with the Conservation Officer's assessment. I consider the proposed alteration will not adversely affect the setting of the Registered Building and would not adversely affect the visual amenities of the locality. Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 26.11.2009 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 permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice. C 2. 4 February 2010 09/01478/GB This approval relates to the Schedule of Proposed Works and Drawing Numbers all date stamped 07th September 2009: HLK/09/0278/1 Plan as existing HLK/09/0278/2 Proposed alterations and additions HLK/09/0278/4 Block Plan 1/500 HLK/09/0278/4 Location Plan 1/1250 HLK/21 A4 Photo Sheet entitled 'Proposed Railings' 2No. A4 photo sheets date stamped 7th September 2009. C 3. Within one month of the date of the decision notice, a sample of the 'inset metal railing to match No.14' to the Front Elevation (from Finch Road) is to be provided for approval by the Planning Authority. The works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular No 09/09 Delegation of functions, 10/09 Delegation of Functions (Development Procedure), GC No 11/09 (Advertisements) and GC No 12/09 (Registered Buildings) all to the Senior Planning Officer Decision Made : Permitted Date : Signed : Senior Planning Officer --- *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/63941-braddan-conister-house-16-extension/documents/1388623*