Consultation 3

Isle of Man

Natural History & Antiquarian Society

Isle of Man Charity No. 428 Hon. Secretary: Mrs C J Bryan, Ballacrye Stream Cottage, Ballaugh, Isle of Man IM7 5EB Tel.: 01624 897306 e-mail: [email protected]

Planning Committee Secretary

DEFA, Murray house, Mount Havelock, Douglas 28th July 2016

Dear Sir/Madam,

PA 16/00654/B Woodlands, Alexander Drive, Douglas

Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society has been trying to raise awareness of the issues and problems arising from the lack of a proper Conservation section within the Planning Division with officers specifically trained and employed solely to deal with Conservation Areas and Registered Buildings and sources of funding for them.

The Society fully appreciates the issues and frustrations that the applicant is apparently having to deal with. However, the Society would respectfully point out that as the applicant is different from the named owner of the building when it was Registered some 15 years ago, it assumes the applicant knew of the Registration and its import when the property was acquired.

As the issues raised in the application do not appear to relate to matters of an architectural nature or changes thereto, the Society is unable to support this application but trusts that appropriate Ministers in DEFA, DED and Cabinet Office, Planning Committee, Interim Director of Planning and Planning Officers pay attention to the reasons for it.

Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society would like to see Registration and Conservation Area status being given encouragement to be seen in a positive light in line with the Island's signatory status (in alliance with the UK) on the European Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe 1987.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs C. J. Bryan Hon Secretary