Officer Report and Recommendation

Case Officer: Miss S E Corlett Photo Taken: Site Visit: Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer's Report

The Site

1. The site is the curtilage of Nunnery Mill - two stone buildings and associated car parking which lie on the southern side of the River Douglas to the east of the Doll's House and the arched entrance to the Nunnery estate, and to the west of a site where a footbridge has recently been permitted (PA 11/01530/B. The buildings are both offices, one formed through the conversion of an existing building and the other, the subject of this application, through the rebuilding of an existing building (see Planning History).

1. The building is a stone faced one, over four storeys with small, square windows and a hipped roof with dormers projecting on both gable ends. The eastern building which is the subject of this application is slightly shorter than that to the west but of a similar appearance and finish.

The Proposal

1. Proposed is the installation of an external lift on the south eastern side of the site. The lift will be the full four storey height of the building with a timber clad top section with a pitched roof at roof level. The sides of the lift shaft will be-lass with vertical elements and an opaque glazing panel to tie in with the floor levels of the building. Also proposed is the installation of a new door in place of a window alongside the ground floor level of the new lift and the installation of a new canopy over the doorway in the northern gable.

Planning Status

1. The site lies within an area designated on the Douglas Local Plan of 1998 as Private Woodland - a subdivision of the Open Space designation.

1. As the building is existing and not residential and the works have no impact on existing trees, there are no directly relevant policies in the Strategic Plan. Whilst Environment Policy 11 which provides advice on the conversion of existing rural buildings to other uses, the building which is the subject of this application was not converted and was completely rebuilt. This policy requires that the appearance of the building should not be adversely affected by the conversion.

Planning History

1. Planning permission was sought and granted for the conversion of both buildings to residential apartments under PA 91/0233. Permission was then refused for a series of applications for conversion to offices - PAs 92/0668, 92/1506 and 93/0410. Permission was finally granted for the conversion of

Application No.:	12/00116/B
Applicant:	Anglo International Properties
Proposal:	Construction of glass lift to east elevation and canopy to north elevation
Site Address:	East Wing
Nunnery Mills
Old Castletown Road
Douglas
Isle Of Man
IM2 1QA

the building to offices with the rebuilding of the eastern building, under PA 94/0298. This followed the commencement of work on the 91 residential approval, during which the building collapsed. The Inspector, considering that appeal stated "The east building has now lost much of its architectural interest having been re-built but it still occupies an historic site and together with the west building stands as a monument to the past history of the town."

Representations

1. Douglas Corporation indicate that they have no objection to the application.

Assessment

1. The two buildings, whilst immediately adjacent to each other are not the same as each other and the building which is the subject of this application is less traditional and has modern features such as the dormers, the hipped roof and larger window apertures in the roadside elevation. As such, whilst the policy on renovation and re-use of buildings of interest would presume against extensions such as what is now proposed, in this case the building is not original and it is not considered that the proposed glazed lift enclosure would result in an adverse visual impact. In addition, there is significant gain from the installation of the lift - greater accessibility for disabled persons and those carrying equipment and items between floors.

1. As such, it is considered that the proposed development is acceptable and is recommended for approval.

Party Status

1. The local authority, Douglas Corporation is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 02.03.2012

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 installation of a lift and enclosure and the canopy all as shown in drawings P001A, P002A, P003A, P004A, P005A, P006A, P007A, P008A, P009A, P010A, P011A and P012A all received on 26th January, 2012.

I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control / Development Control Manager/ Senior Planning Officer.

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 2/3/12

Determining officer (delete as appropriate)

Signed: O. H. W. Anthony Holmes Senior Planning Officer

Signed: Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control

Signed: Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer

Signed: Jennifer Chance Development Control Manager