**Document:** Officer Planning Report Recommendations **Application:** 04/01405/A — Approval in principle for the extension and conversion of existing building into twelve apartments with associated parking **Decision:** Refused **Decision Date:** 2004-09-01 **Parish:** Castletown **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/76452-malew-land-forming-part-conversion-extension/documents/1418356 --- # Officer Planning Report Recommendations ## Planning Report And Recommendations [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Considerations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Written Representations We have received 8 private representations for this application. ### Consultations [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Policy ### Officer's Report The site defined in blue represents the curtilage of Kock Rushen House, a substantial house situated on the landward (northern) side of Scarlett Road. The existing building is a large rendered farmhouse with three storeys and large front porch. Proposed here in principle is the retention of the massing of the main part of the existing house and substantial alterations thereto with sizeable extensions on each side resulting in a large moder property in place of the existing. Comparison is made in the application with Douglas Head and the new apartments proposed there and refused by the Planning Committee (PA 04/0032 - currently on review). Photographs are also included of The Point apartments in Port St. Mary recently created from the former hotel but on a similar architectural theme as the existing. Planning permission was sought under PA 03/0597 for the erection of two additional dwellings alongside the main house. The Inspector upheld the Committee's refusal of that application, noting that "Knock Rushen House and its walled garden, are an important feature at this end of the existing built up area of this part of Castletown. The house and boundary wall are clearly visible from the coast and the open countryside to the south west". Whilst the site does not fall into the town's Conservation Area and is not suggested as being worthy of Registration in the emerging plan, the building undoubtedly contributes in a traditional and appropriate way to the perimeter of the built up area. There is a place for modern architecture, but not here where the surrounding development is mostly traditional in nature and far removed from what is proposed here. Objections have been received and include reference to traffic and the unsuitability of Scarlett Road to accommodate more traffic. Whilst I can understand this, the DoT have not objected and as such I am uncomfortable supporting this reason for refusal. Similarly, objections include over-intensive development but in my mind the site is large enough to accommodate the proposed usage. ### Recommendation Recommended Decision : Refused Date of Recommendation : 16.08.2004 ### 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 R 1. The site is a prominent one on which there is presently an attractive building whose form and massing contributes positively to the general environment and landscape. The proposed changes would transform this to a modern building which would have a jarring and inappropriately modern impact in this historically important landscape. R 2. The introduction of so many apartments on this site would bring with it the introduction of parking - probably formalised parking to the front of the building which would detract from its appearance, whether or not there were parked vehicles in place. Decision Made : ... Committee Meeting Date : ... dcreprec.doc [Table omitted in markdown export] --- *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/76452-malew-land-forming-part-conversion-extension/documents/1418356*