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Thorn Bank is one of a group of four terraced dwellings in Falcon Cliff Terrace and number 164 on the list of protected registered buildings, as well as being within the Douglas (Olympia) conservation area.
Located on the junction of Falcon Cliff Terrace and Upper Dukes Road, which runs parallel and immediately south of Nobles Park, the dwelling is within a residential area of both social and private housing, ranging from rendered 3 storey Victorian properties to 2 storey rendered semi-detached houses and bungalows.
Thorn Bank was constructed circa 1897/8 by speculative Manx builder W McAdam to a design by M H Baillie Scott.
MacKay Hugh Baillie Scott was notable as an Arts-and-Crafts architect who drew inspiration from the domestic vernacular architecture of England. He arrived on the Isle of Man in 1889. Shortly thereafter he attended the Isle of Man School of Art, where he became friends with Archibald Knox, before setting up his own practice in 1892/93 specialising in domestic architecture with influences attributed to Arts-and-Crafts innovator Voysey and the American Shingle style design which was a rebellion against established Victorian domestic design.
Over the following 8 – 9 years that he lived on the Island Baillie Scott established his design style and cemented his reputation through the construction of his own dwelling, the Red House at Orchart, a number of notable high status commissions both on and off Island (Majestic and Groudie Glen Hotels, Bexton Croft (Cheshire), rooms at the Ducal Palace at Darmstadt, a big cabin for Princess Marie of Rumania), the publication of his approach to house design in The Studio (1894) and regular exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts.
Falcon Cliff Terrace is a comparatively modest scale of domestic dwellings in comparison with Baillie Scott's other commissions and is unique in being both the only one of its kind and also the last housing commission that he designed during his time living on the Isle of Man.
Although all four dwellings are Registered, the other three houses in the terrace (Ivy Bank, This Bannee and Inglenook) have all been adapted, altered or repaired in varying degrees while Thorn Bank represents a significant survival of Baillie Scott's work generally and is unique as an example in both a national (Isle of Man) and international (UK, EIRC and European) context.
Thorn Bank is additionally of some national (Isle of Man) significance as the home of Joseph Albert Woods, a Manx poet and sometime broadcaster.
Thorn Bank demonstrates Baillie Scott's revolutionary approach to internal planning and inter-relationships of spaces, containing many of his trademark elements. In national (Isle of Man) terms it has been speculated that this terrace was first to introduce flat roof dormer windows to the Island while internally the rooms offer spacious accommodation accessed from central common areas with his favoured Inglenook fire a focal point feature in the large and welcoming entrance hall. Other features which are familiar sights in Baillie Scott designs are the built-in window seats, architectural fire surrounds and double drawing room doors. Although large by comparison with many contemporary late Victorian terraces, Falcon Cliff Terrace is modest by comparison with Baillie Scott's higher status commissions but the essence of his skill and philosophy as a designer is encapsulated in Thorn Bank.
Almost all of Baillie Scott's original drawings and designs were destroyed in two fires one in 1911 and another in 1941. Baillie Scott is believed to have designed more than 300 buildings along with numerous interiors and furniture during the course of his career, however the only surviving documentary evidence of his designs is to be found in archived publications of his work and records of public displays.
This makes the physical survival of his completed designs crucial to the preservation and understanding of his work and serves to further enhance the significance of Thorn Bank as a unique example of his work for study and comparison.
The social significance of Thorn Bank is partly in the isolated and unusual nature of its design at the time of its construction more or less in the middle of the Arts-and-Crafts movement, but at a time when Baillie Scott's work was becoming widely known and his reputation for high status commissions for wealthy individuals was beginning to burgeon. It is perhaps also significant in a sense for what it didn't achieve in that Baillie Scott's design for Falcon Cliff Terrace failed to catch the attention of speculative house builders and didn't change the face of terraced house building. Thorn Bank represents therefore an unusual and largely unsuccessful architectural experiment in volume house building by a notable late nineteenth/early 20th century architect.
Thom Bank, Falcon Cliff Terrace, Douglas Registered Building 164 Douglas (Olympia) Conservation Area
Application for Full Planning Approval Application for Registered Building Consent
Manx National Heritage • Applicant Horncastle Thomas Ltd • Agent
02.1 DESCRIPTION •
Thom Bank is a registered building, a late nineteenth century and of terrace dwelling designed by Mackay Hugh Bailile Scott
This application seeks approval for an additional use from residential to also include tourism (a self-contained self catering tourist unit); to demolish the mid twentieth century single storey garage; update the mechanical and electrical services; insulate the ground floor; provide a new shower room and fitted kitchen and replace the rear french doors.
Manx National Heritage acquired Thom Bank, a unique example of one of Bailile Scott's buildings, at a time when they did not possess an example of this celebrated architects work. Not only does the dwelling contain a number of Bailile Scott's trademark elements illustrating the essence of his design philosophy, but it displays unusually little evidence of mid to late twentieth century improvements and therefore has yielded architectural evidence that the other three dwellings in the terrace could no longer offer.
Thom Bank is a dwelling that has been vacant for some time and, as a result, has generally suffered from limited maintenance, heating and repair.
Since MNH acquired the property they have undertaken essential repair works to the roof and external joinery of Thom Bank, ensuring the building is water tight.
It is now proposed to bring the building back into beneficial use with careful and sensitive restoration in a way that will showcase the style and philosophy of the designer.
Whilst the building cannot function sustainable as a museum site, self-contained self-catering tourist accommodation, operated much like "Landmark Trust" in the UK, will ensure the building is available for holidays to be enjoyed by all, today and for future generations.
Thom Bank is a three storey end of terrace dwelling constructed of many stone rubble walls with a rough cast render finish, tall red brick chimney stacks and a steep slate roof. The second floor is within the attic space and has distinctive lead, flat roofed dormers with tapered side walls. Horizontal windows are combined with a vertical central window to the front elevation, indicating the internal stair behind, which sits above a lead flat roofed entrance canopy.
The dwelling possesses limited heating, a combination of open fires and gas fires, one with a back boiler. Lighting and power are simple with limited provision of mixed age. Fire detection within the main circulation space is by simple battery operated detectors.
Thom Bank possesses an important Arts and Crafts period interior with an unusual amount of original features surviving, including fireplaces and their surrounds; panelled doors; wall panelling; built in bathroom cupboards, mouldings etc. Evidence based research by Lincoln Conservation (School of History and Heritage, University of Lincoln) has uncovered a complete image of an internal and external decorative scheme including, running at high level along the walls and above picture rail, friezes in the entrance hall and first floor landing.
In order to bring Thom Bank back into beneficial use, some upgrading will need to be undertaken alongside sensitive restoration.
The approach taken is to limit any intrusions to areas which have previously been compromised by development and little historic evidence is present. Any impacts on the historic fabric will therefore be minimized.
It is proposed that to facilitate the provision of a modern kitchen and plant/ boiler room the ground floor single storey outshot will be re-purposed. Originally the scullery and coal house, this area had been partly converted in the mid-twentieth century to a basic kitchen. No historic evidence remains internally in this area. Floor and walls will be upgraded thermally internally in breathable construction and a simple length of kitchen base units incorporated, mechanical ventilation from the hob discharging through an existing high level air brick on the side, garden elevation. The balanced flue for the boiler will discharge through the rear wall of the coal house. Both interventions keep visual intrusion to a minimum.
A modern partition, constructed over the historic linoleum in the first floor master bedroom to form a cupboard will be carefully removed to return the room to its original proportions.
At attic level, it is proposed to provide shower room facilities within the rear box room that currently houses a number of defunct water tanks. Again, intrusion is minimized.
Repair works will be undertaken where necessary, for example to stair nevel posts where sections of timber have historically been removed to accommodate a stair lift, new timber will be placed in.
The updating of the services has been carefully considered to ensure a sympathetic approach, reutilising existing fittings and service routes where possible and appropriate (modern white upvc fittings will be removed) whilst meeting the requirements of modern society and safety regulations.
It is proposed to bring in a new gas supply from the rear lane to feed the gas boiler sited in the old coal house as noted above. The gas meter will be sited on the rear elevation of the external w.c. keeping visual intrusion to a minimum.
The electrical supply is retained in its existing location, entering the building at the front and into the understair cupboard opposite the front door.
The routing of services is kept to small groups in selected areas.
Horizontal routing for central heating piping and electrical wiring is within the floor void and, generally, kept to the central core of the building. The floor void will be accessed via the floor boards over (to be numbered, photographed and carefully taken up with hand tools and retail on completion of the works). Routes will generally not be immediately adjacent to walls to ensure skirting boards and architrave surrounds to internal doors remain in situ. The floor void will also house a lighting control unit ensuring the supply to lighting is extra low voltage allowing safe use of old metal switches. Electrical routes will be feed through existing tubes where available (attic area and breakfast room)
Vertical routing for central heating will be via the rear niche beside the chimney brand in the breakfast room where a paneled cupboard will be formed.
Heating will generally be via cast iron radiators; with a heating loop over the cupboard to the first floor bathroom and electric mat beneath vinyl so neither are visible. An existing, inappropriate gas fire appliance to the entrance hall highrook will be carefully removed and replaced with a more appropriate glass faced gas fire.
Power sockets to the main house will be via floor boxes. Lighting will be from pendants utilizing existing ceiling roses and lamps. Ventilation from bathrooms will be through the roof and a ventilating slate. The modern bidist and mobility fixings in the first floor bathroom will be carefully removed and original sanitary ware refurbished. A TV aerial, booster and controls will be housed within the roof void. It is proposed that ThomBank become a self contained self catering tourist unit.
The current fire precautions will be upgraded to include a L1 Automated Fire Detection System, with hard wired smoke and heat detectors. Micro LED's will provide sufficient light for emergency lighting in the common circulation areas.
Internal doors will be upgraded to 30 minutes fire resistance by applying a clear Enviroger product. All internal partitions have 30 minutes fire resistance. The risk areas to the property - the kitchen and plant area are remote from the central staircase and circulation core. An analysis of the historic decorative finished has been undertaken by Lincoln Conservation (Lincoln University). The original decorative scheme appears to be relatively ornate, which is not uncommon for a domestic house of this period.
A clear colour theme runs through the property with the use of greens and blues in the higher status areas (main rooms and entrance hall), and ochre in the lower status areas (kitchen and attic spaces). An ochre distemper is present as the first scheme in almost all areas, however this is likely to be a temporary decorative finish, applied by the plasterer as a breathable finish whilst the building was drying out. This could take up to a year.
The minimal, or non-existent, build-up of paint on the walls following this distemper strongly indicates that the entire house was wallpapered early in its decorative history - with the exception of the attic floor and stairwell which were painted in an ochre coloured oil paint. Fragments of wallpaper found behind paneling in the window bays of the first-floor bedrooms support this, and also give an indication as to the design of the original paper across the property. The style of the two early papers are on the aesthetic cusp between the Arts and Crafts, and Art Nouveau styles, and both have floral designs.
That these were found behind the wooden panelling indicates that the panelling is not contemporaneous to the original design of the house. Indeed, in the large front bedroom, two layers of wallpaper were found behind the panelling. As such, the room had been refreshed and re-decorated at least once before the insertion of the panels. Furthermore, comparing paint samples from the panels with other joinery in the room shows that the early paint schemes are missing from the samples removed from the paneling.
It is therefore proposed that the timber panelling be removed and replaced with an insulated board and wall papered with an appropriate wall paper.
Stenciled friezes were found in the common movement spaces; a ship design in the entrance hall and a mermaid design in the upstairs landing. The mermaid design was taken from a stencil produced by The Silver Studio in 1895 where Archibald Knox, a friend and collaborator of Bailile Scott's was working at the time.
The technique of architectural paint research has been used to assist the dating and phasing of the French doors, window casements and frames in the Drawing Room. As paint layers are applied over time they effectively create a date record of decorative history. By comparing samples removed from various features within a room, later alterations and additions may be determined. The evidence confirms that the window frames, casement and iron furniture are original to the construction of the house. The french doors, however, are later, relatively modern insertions and will be replaced with the profile of the frame to match the windows.
It is proposed to demolish the existing detached mid-twentieth century single garage at the end of the rear garden, which has reached the end of its design life. This will be replaced with an area of hard standing which will provide equivalent car parking arrangements.
The property is situated in close proximity to public transport links. These works will not affect the current access arrangements. Access for the mobility-impaired will be provided from the rear french doors
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The proposal is in line with the following planning policies of the Strategic Plan 2018.
Development should make best use of resources by:
a) Optimising the use of previously developed land, redundant buildings, unused and user-used land and buildings, and re-using scarce indigenous building materials;
b) Ensuring efficient use of sites, taking into account the needs for access, landscaping, open space and amenity standards; c) Being located so as to utilise existing and planned infrastructure, facilities and services. Extending the present building use to also accommodate a self-contained, self-sabbing tourist unit will optimise the use of the buildings. A more efficient use of site will occur with existing infrastructure, facilities and services would be utilised.
Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development:
The development is within an area zoned as predominantly residential, immediately adjacent to public open space and close to a mixed use area (tourism residential, office and light industrial); the proposed additional use will sit comfortably with the existing use. The external alterations are minimal and respect the registered building. It does not adversely affect the surrounding townscape nor the amenity of local residents; it provides adequate amenity standards.
Extensions or alterations to a Registered Building which would affect detrimentally its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest will not be permitted.
Careful restoration, a sympathetic approach to the upgrading of services and restricting new facilities such as the kitchen and plant room to areas that have previously been compromised would enable the building to be brought back into beneficial use. These development works would preserve the character of the registered building.
When considering whether to grant planning approval for development which affects a registered building or its setting and in considering whether to grant registered building consent for any works, the 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.
Registered Building Consent is required for the building's alteration in any way which would affect its special architectural or historic character. There will be a general presumption against alteration or extension of registered buildings, except where a convincing case can be made against the criteria set out in this section, for such proposals.
Applicants for registered building consent for alteration or extension to a registered building must be able to justify their proposals. They will be required to show why the works which would affect the character of the registered building are desirable or necessary and they should provide full information to enable the Department to assess the likely impact of their proposals on the special architectural or historic interest of the building and on its setting. Where registered buildings are the subject of successive applications for alteration or extension consideration will also be given to the cumulative effect upon the building's special interest as a result of several minor works which may individually seem of little consequence.
Thorn Bank has been vacant for some time and has generally suffered from limited maintenance, repair and no heating. The additional use and sensitive restoration will ensure this unique example of Battle Scott's work is preserved and enjoyed by all, today and for future generations.
When considering proposals for the possible development of any land or buildings which fall within the conservation area, the impact of such proposal upon the special character of the area will be a material consideration when assessing the application. Where a development is proposed for land which, although not within boundaries of the conservation area, would affect its context or setting or views into or out of the area, such issues should be given special consideration where the character or appearance of a conservation area may be affected.
The proposed works are largely internal and any impact on the special character of the area will be an enhancement.
When considering proposals for the possible development of any land or buildings which fall within the conservation area, the impact of such proposal upon the special character of the area will be a material consideration when assessing the application. Where a development is proposed for land which, although not within boundaries of the conservation area, would affect its context or setting or views into or out of the area, such issues should be given special consideration where the character or appearance of a conservation area may be affected.
The proposed works are largely internal and any impact on the special character of the area will be an enhancement.
When considering proposals for the possible development of any land or buildings which fall within the conservation area, the impact of such proposal upon the special character of the area will be a material consideration when assessing the application. Where a development is proposed for land which, although not within boundaries of the conservation area, would affect its context or setting or views into or out of the area, such issues should be given special consideration where the character or appearance of a conservation area may be affected.
The proposed works are largely internal and any impact on the special character of the area will be an enhancement.
To not scale from this strategy, UK Government has has limited or limited to a maximum within 30+ years of a construction contract, and a 10% reduction in the total investment in the project. The final cost of the project is $1,000,000. The final cost of the project is $1,000,000. The final cost of the project is $1,000,000.
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