20 November 2012 · Council of Ministers
Improvement Works, Georges Lane, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1nr
The proposal involved resurfacing the coach parking area with bituminous finish, paving the pedestrian route with natural Carlow stone in flamed, old mechanical, and bush hammered finishes, installing seating with polished black granite surfaces at the coach park end, illuminated bollards to separate pedestrian and veh…
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The inspector considered the site a utilitarian lane and coach park that does not contribute positively to the historic townscape, bounded by the George Hotel beer garden and Co-op store in the Castle…
Environment Policy 35
Policy requires that within Conservation Areas, development must preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the area and protect special features. The inspector assessed the proposal as enhancing the Conservation Area and setting of adjacent Registered Buildings through high-quality materials like Carlow stone paving that matches the local granite character, improving the utilitarian existing lane without inappropriate development.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Approved drawings
This permission relates to the alterations to the existing lane and coach park as shown in drawings/photographs 1204j-01; 11.505/8/P-01; 11.505/11/P-01; 12.012-10-01/B; 12.012-10-02/B; 12.012-10-03; 12.012-20-01; 12.012-30-01/B; 12.012-30-02/B; 12.012-30-03; 12.012-40-01/A; 2012/05/18/D; 11.505/13; 11.505/14-1; 11.505/14-2; 11.505/14-3; 11.505/14-4; 11.505/15-1; 11.505/15-2; all received by the Planning Department on 7 September 2012.
approved the application
meets relevant highway standards and policies
no objection subject to protection of critical rising main sewer during works; contact Authority before commencing on site
Multiple consultees including Highways Division, Water Authority, Manx Electricity Authority, and Castletown Town Commissioners responded to application 12/01243/B with no objections, some subject to conditions related to utility protection.
Key concern: A Critical Rising Main Sewer runs the length of Georges Lane
Highways Division
No ObjectionThis application meets relevant highway standards and policies.
Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority
Conditional No Objection**No Objection:** - subject to the following conditions:-; A Critical Rising Main Sewer runs the length of Georges Lane. The Critical Rising Main sewer must be fully protected whilst all building works are being carried out the Applicant must contact the Authority before commencing on site.
Conditions requested: The Critical Rising Main sewer must be fully protected whilst all building works are being carried out; the Applicant must contact the Authority before commencing on site
Manx Electricity Authority
Conditional No ObjectionThere are Underground Cables/Overhead Lines present in the area indicated in you Planning Application. Please contact our Network Operations Department, Manx Electricity Authority, (Tel. 687687) to discuss working practices around Cables and Overhead Lines; The Authority wish to express their interest in the following planning applications, and request that a condition of planning be that the applicant must contact the Authority
Conditions requested: the applicant must contact the Authority; Contact the M.E.A. for Electrical Site Safety 5 documents, (Tel. 687766), before any work is carried out on site; Contact the M.E.A. Planning Department (Tel. 687781), to discuss the electricity supply for this application
Castletown Town Commissioners
SupportThe following application was considered by the Board at a meeting dated 17th September, and I am directed to inform you that the application has been approved.; 12/01243/B
The original application (12/01243/B) for alterations including re-surfacing works, seating, lighting bollards, and gullies in George Lane, Castletown, was referred to the Council of Ministers due to the applicant being a government department, with no refusal stated. No appeal arguments are detailed as this is an inspector's report on a referred application rather than a standard refused appeal. The inspector assessed the proposals positively, finding they would use high-quality materials like Carlow stone and granite, enhancing the Castletown Conservation Area and settings of Registered Buildings. The site was described as a utilitarian pedestrian thoroughfare and coach park that would be significantly improved visually and operationally. The inspector recommended approval subject to conditions, aligning with local plans and Strategic Plan Environment Policy 35.
Precedent Value
This sets a precedent for approving public realm enhancements in conservation areas using dignified, context-appropriate materials, even in utilitarian spaces like coach parks, provided they align with policies like SPE35. Future applicants should demonstrate clear visual and operational benefits to historic settings.
Inspector: Alan Langton
