**Document:** Planning Report and Recommendations **Application:** 07/01289/B — Erection of an extension to create ancillary living accommodation to rear elevation and an open porch to front elevation **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2007-09-10 **Parish:** Rushen **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/83581-rushen-port-erin-gospel-church-porch-extension/documents/1506148 --- # Planning Report and Recommendations ## Planning Report And Recommendations [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Considerations ### Written Representations ### Consultations ### Officer's Report #### The Site The site represents the curtilage of the Port Erin Gospel Church which sits on the southern side of Castletown Road (the A5) to the west of the Four Roads roundabout. #### Planning Status The site lies within an area designated on the Port Erin Local Plan of 1990 as Predominantly Residential. The land to the rear (south) is designated as Open Space/Agricultural. #### Planning History Permission was granted in principle for the erection of a church and associated facilities under PA 86/1401. Permission was granted in detail for this under PA 87/0245 with alterations to the door and windows approved under PA 00/1336. Permission was then granted for the parking of a motor home on the site under PA 06/0087 for occupation in association with the church on the site. An objection was received in respect of this application, from a neighbour who was concerned at the visual impact of the motor home on the site. ## The Proposal Proposed now is the extension of the building to provide living accommodation in the form of a lounge/bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. A total of 27.5 square metres of space are proposed. This is less than is recommended in the Housing (Flats) Regulations 1982 which recommends that there are no occupants in a unit of up to 30 square metres of space for a permanent unit: up to 2 persons could however occupy this unit on the basis of a tourist flat where the requirements for space (storage, the accommodation of facilities required by permanent occupants etc) are less. The applicant has indicated that the accommodation is intended for temporary accommodation for visiting preachers and will be converted to a meeting room if other accommodation is found. As such, the accommodation will only be used at weekends and full compliance with the permanent occupation Flats Regs may not be essential. ## Representations The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service recommend consultation in respect of the Fire Precautions Regulations. ## Assessment The principle of residential use on the site should be acceptable for the reasons that: 1) the site is within an area designated as Residential on the prevailing land use plan 2) permission was granted for the parking of a mobile home on the site for purposes of living accommodation and 3) the principle of accommodation close or next to the church is not unknown - many Churches have vicarages close by although not perhaps physically attached to the church with which they are associated. This is slightly different to many examples of church accommodation in that the accommodation is physically attached to the church and the accommodation is less than is generally expected in the case of permanent accommodation. The circumstances of this accommodation are also, however different in that currently the visiting members of the church are staying in a mobile home on the site and also that is only to be a short-term measure pending alternative accommodation being found. In the above circumstances I see no justifiable reason why the proposal should be refused. A condition should, however be attached to ensure that the accommodation is not used for long term residential accommodation. ## Party Status The Department of Transport and the local authority are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (c) and (d), considered "interested persons" and as such should be afforded party status. The points raised by the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service are the responsibility of the Building Regulations and as such this party should not be afforded party status in this instance. ### Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 20.08.2007 ## 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 permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice. C 2. This permission relates to the extension of the church building as shown in drawing 1309-01 and -02 both received on 9th July, 2007, to provide accommodation for those visiting the Port Erin Gospel Church and where no individual period of occupation exceeds two weeks in length. Reason for condition: the proposed accommodation is smaller in floor area than that which would satisfactorily accommodate occupants on a permanent basis. Furthermore, the accommodation has limited amenity space and outlook. As such the accommodation should not be used for permanent occupation. N 1. PRIOR to the commencement of any works the applicant is advised to consult the Chief Fire Officer to ensure that adequate fire precautions are taken. Decision Made : ... Committee Meeting Date : ... --- *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/83581-rushen-port-erin-gospel-church-porch-extension/documents/1506148*