19 July 2004 · Minister for Local Government and the Environment
129, Malew Street, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1lu
The proposal was to replace the existing timber front door, installed recently with a Conservation Area Grant, with a uPVC door of similar pattern but with two small square lights in the top panels, at a mid-terrace cottage directly onto Malew Street footpath in Castletown Conservation Area.
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The Inspector concluded the decision rested on the effect on the dwelling's appearance, street scene, and Conservation Area character.
Time limit
The development, hereby permitted, shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision.
Plain coloured finish
The proposed door and frame must have a plain coloured finish (and not woodgrained as indicated in the application).
no views on the application, no adverse traffic impacts
Highways Division has no objection to the application due to no adverse traffic impacts. Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and Environment objects to the uPVC door replacement, preferring a timber door.
Key concern: uPVC door is not a better choice than timber
Department of Transport Highways Division
No ObjectionThe Highways Division of the Department of Transport has no views on the following application, the application having been considered and having no adverse traffic impacts.
Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and Environment
ObjectionWe OBJECT, as we believe with a little expense a suitably soundproof timber door is a better choice than an uPVC one.
The original application 04/01048/B for installing a uPVC front door and frame to replace the existing timber door was refused by the Planning Committee due to its modern appearance being out of place in the Conservation Area and recommendation for timber replacement. The appellant argued the existing door was faulty causing draughts, heat loss, noise, and water damage, proposed uPVC matched the existing pattern, PVC was common locally, and alternatives like raising the threshold were impractical. The Council defended refusal citing recent installation via grant scheme, inappropriateness of PVC in streetscape, and suggestion of other measures. The inspector found PVC not unusual in the area, the design replicated the existing door, location in recessed porch caused no adverse visual impact, agreed threshold raising impractical, and allowed the appeal with conditions for plain coloured finishes and standard time limit.
Precedent Value
This appeal demonstrates that material precedents in Conservation Areas (e.g. existing PVC doors/windows) can outweigh general preferences for traditional materials like timber, especially for minor replacements in recessed locations. Future applicants should document local precedents and site visit evidence to challenge 'out of character' refusals.
Inspector: J Trevor Graham
