6 January 2016 · Director of Planning and Building Control (Michael Gallagher)
Working Mens Institute, New Road, Laxey, Isle Of Man, IM4 7bd
The proposal involves fixing two air conditioning units, each 1350mm x 950mm x 370mm, offset 150mm from the wall on a stone area below two windows on the southern elevation of the historic Laxey Working Mens Institute, a Gothic-style registered building from 1876 within Laxey Conservation Area.
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The officer recognised the air conditioning units are not sympathetic to the Registered Building's appearance but deemed them essential for the community building's proper function to improve internal…
Strategic Policy 4
Requires protection/enhancement of Registered Buildings and Conservation Areas without unacceptable environmental impacts. Officer confirmed proposal protects the building's fabric and setting with minimal visual impact due to hidden location.
General Policy 2
Requires developments to respect site/surroundings in scale/form/design without adversely affecting townscape character or amenity. Officer found proposal acceptable as it respects the historic townscape with non-visible siting.
Environment Policy 32
Prohibits extensions/alterations detrimentally affecting a Registered Building's special interest. Units not sympathetic but justified as essential, with location avoiding harm to character.
Environment Policy 35
Permits only development preserving/enhancing Conservation Area character. Hidden location ensures no detrimental impact on Laxey Conservation Area's appearance.
RB/5 Alterations and Extensions
Presumption against alterations affecting special character unless justified as necessary/desirable with full impact assessment. Officer accepted necessity for building function and minimal impact due to low visibility.
Planning Policy Statement 1/01 - Policy CA/2 (Conservation Areas)
Requires special regard to impact on Conservation Area character/setting/views. Site visit confirmed location does not affect public views into/out of the area.
Conservation Area Policy 4 of Laxey and Lonan Area Plan Order 2005
Special attention to preserving/enhancing Conservation Area character per Act. Officer assessed and found compliant with hidden siting.
Time limit
The works hereby granted registered building consent shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this consent. Reason: To comply with paragraph 2(2)(a) of schedule 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented registered building consents.
no objection on application 15/01174/GB
