Planning Officer Report

Planning Officer Report And Recommendations {{table:21740}} {{table:21739}}

Officer's Report

The Application Site

1. The application site is the residential curtilage of a two storey Victorian terrace dwelling on Queens Avenue, Douglas. It has a distinctive dormer window protruding from the front half of its pitched slate roof and a ground floor bay window on the front elevation which is smooth render finished and incorporates timber framed sliding-sash windows on all floors. The application site is located in the Woodbourne Road Conservation Area. The front elevation of the property overlooks a communal Victorian style park and a similar set of Victorian Terrace dwelling beyond it.

The Proposal

1. The proposal seeks approval the replacement of the front door and associated framing.

Planning History

1. The application site has been the subject of the following previous planning applications that are considered to be specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application:

12/00650/B - Installation of replacement windows to front elevation – Permitted.

08/00329/B - Installation of replacement windows – Permitted.

Planning Policy

1. The application site falls within an area designated for Predominantly Residential use in the Douglas (South) Local Plan 1998. There are no policies that accompanies the local plan, which are considered specifically material to the assessment of the planning application.

1. The Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 contains two policies that are considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application. General Policy 2 states:

"Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development:

• (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them;
• (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape;
• (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality".

Environment Policy 35 states:

"Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development."

Representations

1. Douglas Borough Council has no objection to the proposal.

Assessment

1. The proposed replacement front door replicates the same design and uses the same material as the existing. Therefore, it is considered the material difference is minimal. In respect of its impact on the Conservation Area, it will enhance and conserve its character. As such, the proposal complies with the relevant provisions of General Policy 2 and Environment Policy 35 in the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 and therefore the proposal is considered to be acceptable.

Recommendation

1. It is recommended that the planning application be approved.

Party Status

1. It is considered that the following parties that made representations to the planning application should be afforded interested party status:

The local authority, Douglas Borough Council are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (d), considered "interested persons" and as such should be afforded party status.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 19.09.2012 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 approval relates to the installation of a replacement timber front door with associated framing, as shown in drawing no. K070/P/10-01 and K0W70/P10-04, both received on 20th August 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 : 19.9.12

Determining officer (delete as appropriate)

Signed : _________________________ 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