Manx National Heritage Response

Presenters of the Award-winning Story of Mann

Manx National Heritage, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 3LY. Eiraght Ashoonagh Vannin, Doolish, Ellan Vannin IM1 3LY.

Telephone: +44 (0)1624 648000 Fax: +44 (0)1624 648001 Website: www.gov.im/mnh E-mail: [email protected] Director / Stiureyder: Stephen Harrison B.A., F.S.A., F.M.A., F.S.A.(Scot.), M.I.Mgr.

Our ref: 06-00404/ACCJ

5th April, 2006

Ms EJ Callow Secretary to the Planning Committee Department of Local Government and the Environment Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas Isle of Man IM1 2SF

Dear Ms Callow

PA 06/00404: Street Heritage - Demolition of existing rear extensions and erection of replacement rear extensions, 42 and 44 Michael Street, Peel.

We write to advise the Planning Committee that we have made two visits to these properties at the invitation of the developer and in the company of the Building Conservation Officer.

These two dwellings were constructed in stone as a semi-detached pair. At some point both properties were extended to the rear by means of a single, brick-built, catslide extension. The applicant now intends to demolish and replace this rear extension to achieve a slightly larger living space. Although not immediately apparent from the submitted plans, it is understood that the building works are also intended to involve the alteration, removal or replacement of internal partitions, and the replacement of windows within the original part of the building.

Some of the partitions, including that dividing the two dwelling spaces, are constructed using wide wooden panels. This type of partition is extremely rare in a Manx context, and these examples are of very considerable interest and historic importance. Sash windows, which survive in the majority of the front façade, while probably not original, are nevertheless of historic value.

Given that the development site lies within the Conservation Area, we would suggest that all external alterations or replacements should be scrutinised and approved by the Building Conservation Officer. On the matter of the internal partitions, we strongly believe that these are features of sufficient importance to merit considering registration of the building. We would also recommend consideration of a Building Preservation Notice under Section 17 of the Town and Country Planning Act to protect the partitions in the meantime.

Manx National Heritage operates under The Manx Museum and National Trust Acts. Registered as Charity No. 603 in the Isle of Man.

We further believe that a practical solution to the preservation of the partitions would be to redevelop the dwellings as a single property, thus obviating the need to improve the existing level of soundproofing between two separate domestic dwelling spaces.

We trust that the above comments are of help to the Committee.

Yours sincerely

A.C.C. Johnson Curator Inspector of Ancient Monuments

c.c. Mr S. Moore, Building Conservation Officer