Consultation 1 MNH

From: Sinden, Thomas To: DEFA, Planning Subject: FW: PA Nos 24/01269/CON & 25/90062/GB - George Hotel Castletown Date: 12 February 2025 08:48:11 Attachments: image002.png

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Please could the email below from MNH be logged as a comment for both of these applications and added to the file?

Thanks

Tom

From: Johnson, Andrew (MNH) <[email protected]> Sent: 05 February 2025 12:26 To: Sinden, Thomas <[email protected]>; Spencer, Daniel <[email protected]> Subject: PA Nos 24/01269/CON & 25/90062/GB - George Hotel Castletown

Gentlemen

I write on behalf of Manx National Heritage (‘MNH’), whose statutory responsibilities pertaining to the protection of the cultural and natural heritage of the Isle of Man are defined under the terms of the Manx Museum and National Trust Act.

We were interested to see the above applications and the proposed response to the failure of the gutter, cornice and parapet, and would comment as follows.

We have studied our original high-resolution scans of several of the photographs in the MNH archives - which are available online through the iMuseum - specifically:

PG/9481 (late 19th century) PG/8216 ) PG/9473 ) early 20th century PG/9475 ) PG/4021/4 (1980s-1990s) PG/6401/10 (1980s-1990s)

These make it clear that the failed parapet, fabricated using concrete blocks / bricks, was a replacement for a earlier parapet of similar height. Given the application photograph showing the relationship between the finishing render on the rear side of the parapet and the plywood lining, it appears clear that both were constructed at the same time. We also note that the roof covering appears modern, and differs from the covering visible in the late-20th century photographs (at which time no skylights were present, and a soil vent also present has since been removed), which itself differs from the random width/reducing courses arrangement apparent on the older photographs. It is possible that the type of roof sarking / Tyvek currently present will help date the most recent intervention. The plywood lining appears entirely

consistent with the most recent roof-work, and hence, we would suggest, the reconstruction of the failed parapet was undertaken at the same time.

It is therefore unfortunate that the proposed replacement cornice and parapet seeks to substantially reduce the vertical dimensions of the latter, as the evidence above suggests that the failed parapet is of an historically-accurate height. The photos adduced in support of our comments also show that a high parapet of this type appears historically consistent with the design of the same feature on the similarly decorative façade of the Isle of Man Bank next door, so it would be unfortunate to lose this.

We trust this will be taken into account in your consideration of these applications.

Kind regards

Andrew Johnson BA MSc FSA Curator – Field Archaeology / Inspector of Ancient Monuments

t: +44 (0) 1624 648025 | e: [email protected]

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