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Application No.: 10/00098/B Applicant: Mr Brian Ernest \& Mrs Lynne Theobald Proposal: Installation of two solar panels to dwelling house Site Address: Seabridge 16 Bowring Road Ramsey Isle Of Man IM8 3EJ ### Considerations Case Officer : Miss Laura Davy Photo Taken: 10.03.2010 Expected Decision Level: Senior Planning Officer ### Written Representations ### Consultations Consultee : Highways Division Notes : Consultee : Clerk To The Commissioners Notes: no objection.
The application site represents the curtilage of Seabridge 16 Bowring Road. The existing property is a two storey detached house of traditional form located in an area of predominantly residential use.
Proposed is the installation of two solar panels to the centre of the roof on the front elevation of the property. Each solar panel would measure approximately ( measured in mm ).
The following applications are considered relevant in the assessment of the current application: PA 06/02178/B Installation of uPVC casement windows to replace existing PA 07/00377/B Erection of a single storey extension to side elevation. The above applications were permitted.
The application site is located in an area of predominantly residential use identified on the Ramsey Local Plan Order 1998. Due to the nature of the proposal Energy Policy 4 should be used in the assessment of the proposal along with General Policy 2.
Ramsey Commissioners have no objections with regard to the proposal. Department of Transport Highways and Traffic have made no comment with regard to the application.
The proposal should be considered in light of Energy Policy 4, which states: "Development involving alternative sources of energy supply, including wind, water and tide power, and the use of solar panels, will be judged against the environmental objectives and policies set out in this Plan. Installations involving wind, water and tide power will require the submission of an EIA."
The Isle of Man Strategic Plan promotes the use of alternative or renewable energy sources but recognises the need of similar scrutiny to other development proposals and not a lower test on the grounds that they are more environmentally friendly.
General Policy 2 should be used to judge the proposal in terms of environmental impacts, the relevant points from the policy are: "(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 (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption."
It is considered that the installation of solar panels would have an impact on the surrounding townscape, but the visibility of the solar panels from the highway would be limited due to the parapet on the front elevation of the property, this feature would make it increasingly difficult to see the solar panels on the roof, therefore it is judged that there would only be minimum impact on the visual amenity of local residents.
The property is of traditional from, with a typically symmetrical front elevation with three upper windows over a central doorway. The solar panels would be installed on the central part of the roof on the front elevation, to be in-keeping with the symmetrical design of the property, in an effort to retain the character of the building.
The proposal seeks best practice in reducing energy consumption by the use of two solar panels, potentially reducing carbon emissions through reducing the need to burn fossil fuels; this is considered to outweigh the visual impact.
For the above reasons this application is considered acceptable, and is recommended for approval.
The Department of Transport and the Local Authority are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (c) and (d), considered "interested persons" and as such should be afforded party status.
Recommended Decision: Permitted
N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal
C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
C 2. This permission relates to the installation of two solar panels shown in drawings 100102-01, 10010202, Ref 1 and Ref 2 received 28th January 2010.
I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular No 09/09 Delegation of functions, 10/09 Delegation of Functions (Development Procedure), GC No 11/09 (Advertisements) and GC No 12/09 (Registered Buildings) all to the Senior Planning Officer
Decision Made : Permitted Date : Signed : Senior Planning Officer
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