DEC Officer Report

Application No.: 23/00870/GB Applicant: Isle Of Man Islamic Association Proposal: Replacement of existing rear fibreglass pitched roof with slate roof (In association with RB consent application 23/00871/CON) Site Address: 20 Finch Road Douglas Isle Of Man IM1 2PS Technical Officer: Mr Thomas Sinden Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 07.09.2023

Conditions and Notes for Approval

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions C 1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.

Reason: To comply with Article 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.

This application has been recommended for approval for the following reason.

The application complies with section 16 of the Town and Country Act 1999 as the building's special architectural and historic interest is being preserved. The application is also judged to pass the tests of planning policy statement 1/01 as well as strategic policy 4, environment policy 32 and environment policy 34 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016 as the building is being protected and preserved, and traditional materials are being used. The application is therefore judged to be acceptable.

Plans/Drawings/Information;

This decision relates to drawings JTM2325-P-01 and JTM2325-P-02, together with the other supporting information submitted on 31st July 2023. _______________________________________________________________

Interested Person Status – Additional Persons

None _____________________________________________________________________________

Officer’s Report

1.0 THE SITE - 1.1 The site is 20 Finch Road, and registered building (RB 100). Finch Road stands on land that was at one time known as Finch's Estate, and was laid out in in 1830 for building purposes. Number 20 is one of a series of high status dwellings along the eastern side of Finch Road dating from the 1830s and 1840s, with period features and form that show the architectural style being employed on the island during the period. The properties also illustrate part of the development of Douglas from a small 18th century fishing port through to a bustling Victorian tourist resort and the island's capital. The property is not located within a conservation area.

2.0 THE PROPOSAL - 2.1 This application seeks consent to replace the existing rear fibreglass mono-pitched roof over the rear porch with a slate roof. The application is concurrent with RB consent application 23/00871/CON.

3.0 PLANNING POLICY - 3.1 The site is within Mixed Use Proposal Area 4. St George's on Proposals Map 5 of the Area Plan for the East. The site is not in an area at risk of flooding. - 3.2 TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1999 S16 Registered buildings: supplementary provisions

(3) In considering —

• (a) whether to grant planning approval for development which affects a registered building or its setting, or
• (b) whether to grant registered building consent for any works, the relevant Department shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.

3.3 National policy: THE ISLE OF MAN STRATEGIC PLAN 2016

Strategic Policy 4 Environment Policy 32 Environment Policy 34

3.4 Planning Policy Statements: 1/01 Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man

POLICY RB/3 POLICY RB/5

4.0 PLANNING HISTORY - 4.1 Applications 05/00591/GB and 05/00591/CON permitted structural repairs to the property. More recently, applications 20/01064/GB and 20/01065/CON permitted alterations to the property in association with a change of use from office to class 4.3 (other community facilities). Applications 22/00954/GB and 22/00955/CON refused the installation of UPVC windows on the property.

5.0 REPRESENTATIONS - 5.1 Douglas Borough Council have stated that they have no objections to the application (18.8.2023).

5.2 There have been no other representations made regarding the application.

6.0 ASSESSMENT - 6.1 The issue here is whether the proposals would affect detrimentally the building's special interest. - 6.2 The building dates from the mid-19th century, and illustrates the style and form of relatively high status dwellings being built in Douglas during the period. The existing fibreglass roof is not historic, and does not contribute to the building's special interest. The replacement of this roof with a roof finished in natural slate is considered to be entirely appropriate, and would preserve and protect the building's special interest. 7.0 CONCLUSION

7.1 The application is judged to comply with section 16 of the Town and Country Act 1999 as the building's special architectural and historic interest is being preserved. The application is also judged to pass the tests of planning policy statement 1/01 as well as strategic policy 4, environment policy 32 and environment policy 34 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016 as the building is being protected and preserved, and traditional materials are being used. It is therefore recommended that the application is approved.

8.0 INTERESTED PERSON STATUS - 8.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019, the following persons are automatically interested persons:

• (a) the applicant (including an agent acting on their behalf);
• (b) any Government Department that has made written representations that the Department considers material;
• (c) the Highways Division of the Department of Infrastructure;
• (d) Manx National Heritage where it has made written representations that the Department considers material;
• (e) Manx Utilities where it has made written representations that the Department considers material;
• (f) the local authority in whose district the land the subject of the application is situated; and
• (g) a local authority adjoining the authority referred to in paragraph (f) where that adjoining authority has made written representations that the Department considers material.

8.2 The decision maker must determine:

• o whether any other comments from Government Departments (other than the Department of Infrastructure Highway Services Division) are material; and
• o whether there are other persons to those listed above who should be given Interested Person Status

I can confirm that this decision has been made by a Principal Planner in accordance with the authority afforded to that Officer by the appropriate DEFA Delegation and that in making this decision the Officer has agreed the recommendation in relation to who should be afforded Interested Person Status.

Decision Made : Permitted Date: 08.09.2023 Determining officer Signed : C BALMER

Chris Balmer Principal Planner

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