**Document:** APL Planning Statement
**Application:** 23/00644/B — Replacement of existing timber and UPVC top opening casement windows with traditional timber sash windows
**Decision:** Permitted
**Decision Date:** 2023-07-11
**Parish:** Rushen
**Document Type:** report / planning_statement
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/10371-rushen-ardane-replacement-windows/documents/971421

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# APL Planning Statement

## Planning Statement

![A sepia-toned historical photograph showing the front elevation of a large two-story detached house with a prominent bay window and stone steps leading to the entrance.](https://images.planningportal.im/2023/05/6958517.jpg)

Property: The application site is Ardane, Cronk Road, Port St Mary, IM9 5AS. The property is located in the proposed Port St Mary Conservation Area as designated by The Area Plan for the South adopted in 2013.

History: Ardane and its sister attached house Innis Free are a pair of semi-detached houses constructed of stone and rendered with hood moulding details to the front elevation openings and dentil course corbeling at the eaves under traditional pitched slate roofs. The properties were constructed in 1894 by as part of the sale and development expansion of the Village into the Ballacreggan Quaterland.

Ardane taken shortly after construction Copyright IMuseum. Proposals: The application seeks planning approval to replace existing timber and upvc top opening casement windows with timber sliding sash windows in a style to replicate the original windows.

Relevant Policies: THE ISLE OF MAN STRATEGIC PLAN 2016

- • Strategic Policy 4
- • General Policy 2
- • Environment Policy 34
- • Environment Policy 35

Planning Circular 1/98 The Replacement of Windows • Category B Windows in Conservation Areas

Benefits of the Proposals: The proposals will have the following benefits. Character and appearance:

The reinstatement of the original window detailing will improve the appearance, character and architectural harmony of the property and across the pair of houses as Innis Free retains the original windows. It is accepted policy and conservation best practice across the British isles that UPVC does not sufficiently replicate the sections and proportions of historic joinery and their design, detailing and operation make them look different. For this reason, the use of UPVC as replacement to traditional timber windows within conservation areas or protected buildings is not supported in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or the Republic of Ireland.

## Environmental:

The new windows will have double glazed units that will help improve the building thermal efficiency and energy consumption. The use of timber instead of UPVC has greater environmental benefit, timber being and natural, recyclable and repairable material, far more carbon is used in the creation of UPVC windows in addition to the man-made materials used to create UPVC. Also timber is a longer lasting material, this is demonstrated by the surviving original windows being repaired rather than replaced, whilst cheaper UPVC windows have nowhere near the longevity of timber windows and mostly are put into landfill at the end of life.

## Economic:

The use of traditional timber windows has far greater economic benefit to the Island, in supporting local business and skilled trades professionals. UPVC is not made on island nor are any of the UPVC window frames. This use of skilled tradesmen can also be utilised for repair work avoiding the need for wholesale replacement which has both cost and environmental implications.

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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/10371-rushen-ardane-replacement-windows/documents/971421*