Officer Planning Report Recommendations

Considerations {{table:153014}} {{table:153015}} {{table:153016}} ### Written Representations ### Consultations

Officer's Report

The Application Site And Proposed Development

The application site comprises the curtilage of a mid-terrace dwelling located within a small cul-de-sac of detached dwellings located on Blackberry Lane in Onchan.

The proposed development comprises of the erection of a rear extension onto the dwelling and the installation of two solar panels. The planning application drawings indicate that additional habitable accommodation will be created inside the dwelling through internal alterations, although this element could be done without planning approval.

Planning History

The application site has been the subject of one previous planning application that is considered potentially material to the assessment of this current planning application.

Planning application 01/01832/B sought approval for the erection of an extension onto the dwelling. This previous planning application was initially considered and approved on the 8th January 2002, with the initial approval decision notice issued on the 14th January 2002.

Representations

Onchan District Commissioners recommend that the rear extension and solar panels be approved but that the alterations that result in the reduction in the size of the garage be refused on the grounds that it results in the loss of car parking.

Planning Policy

The application site is within an area recognised as being within predominantly residential use under the Onchan Local Plan. Policy O/RES/P/21 of the written statement (Planning Circular 1/2000) that accompanies the Onchan Local Plan states:

"Extensions and alterations to existing residential property will generally not be opposed where such proposals are appropriate in terms of scale, massing, design, appearance and impact on adjacent property."

Assessment

In terms of the proposed rear extension it is considered that the level of proposed development is relatively modest, in keeping with the character of the dwelling and without undue impact on the neighbouring properties. As such the extension element of the proposal does not adversely affect public or private amenity and is therefore in accordance with policy O/RES/P/21 of the Onchan Local Plan. The use of solar panels is welcomed and should be supported.

In terms of Onchan Commissioner's concerns, as previously highlighted, the internal alterations do not require planning approval and therefore it is would be unreasonable to refuse the planning application on such grounds. Notwithstanding this, it is acknowledged from site visit that the actual viability of the existing garage is questionable given its dimensions and general state of repair.

It is recommended that the planning application be approved.

Party Status

It is considered that all parties that made representations to the planning application meet the criteria of Government Circular 1/06 and should be afforded interested party status.

I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular Nos 44/05 (Delegation of Functions to Director of Planning and Building Control) and 47/05 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer)

Decision Made : Permitted Date: 8/2/07 Signed: [Handwritten signature] M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control

Recommendation
Recommended Decision:	Permitted
Date of Recommendation:	02.02.2007
Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal
C : Conditions for approval
N : Notes attached to conditions
R : Reasons for refusal
O : Notes attached to refusals
C 1.	The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
C 2.	This approval relates to drawing no. 06/6331/1 date stamped the 20th December 2006.