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Application No.: 07/00372/B Case Officer : Miss S E Corlett ### Consultations The primary entrance to all apartments should be wide enough to be accessible for everyone including wheelchair users. Where apartment / parking is provided over more than one level then a lift should be provided. The lift should be large enough to allow wheelchair users with an assistant to enter and turn around. The controls need to be at a height that everyone can reach and use. Visual and audible announcements should be fitted. ### Private representations ### Planning Applicant: Street Heritage Limited Proposal: Alterations and refurbishment of existing railway station and conversion of part of ground floor and upper floors into three apartments with access, platform and boundary improvements Site Address: Port St Mary Railway Station Station Road Port St. Mary Isle Of Man IM9 5LF **
The site represents the curtilage of Port St. Mary Railway Station which sits on the western side of Station Road (A29) and to the south of the railway line. The site accommodates the station building and space to the west and east. The site has behind it The Station public house and to the south west, the gas works and associated sizeable storage cylinders.
The site is identified on the Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Development Plan) Order 1982 as Residential, next to the Industry designation of the gas works. On the draft Port St. Mary Area Plan of 2001 the site is identified as Railway Station.
The following applications have been submitted in respect of this site:
Proposed here is the refurbishment of the station building, reinstatement of the use of part of the building as a ticket office and waiting room for railway patrons and the conversion of the remainder of the building into three self-contained residential units.
The external changes include the repair of the decorative parapet in the centre of the rear of the building, the increase in height of the parapet and roof behind on the flat roofed single storey annex to the west of the main building, the addition of coach lights around the building, reinstatement of the timber boarding details and leaded window on the eastern side of the rear elevation. On the front of the building (that facing the railway line), the canopy is to be restored, the modern windows and walling removed. Throughout, the original form of glazing is to be restored where more modern replacements have been installed and Conservation style rooflights are to be added in the roof.
Vehicular access to the 12 parking spaces to be provided is available from the south of the building from Station Road with picket fencing separating the parking facilities from the station platform. A disabled person's parking space is available right outside the entrance to the apartments to the south of the building. A paved area with planting is to be created outside the apartments' entrance.
| PMCS Seacliffe Old Castletown Road Ballaveare | Supports the proposal |
On the ground floor, access to the railway facilities is available from the side of the platform. There will be a ticket office, waiting room, station master's office, booking hall, toilets. This is completely separate from the residential accommodation which is available on the ground floor as a two bedroomed unit. On the first and second floors there are to be two 2 bedroomed units one with a terrace on the western side, these would be in the form of maisonettes with internal staircases within each unit. The facade facing the platform will include obscured glazing to protect the privacy of those in the ground floor apartment and with dummy doors to maintain the appearance but not compromise the use behind.
The proposed works restore both the original use of the building as a station as well as the character and appearance of the original building. This is an important element of the steam railway and its under-use in recent times and inaccessibility for purposes ancillary to the railway has been to the detriment of the operation of the railway and to the area in general. The external changes are not objectionable and the introduction of a permanent presence on the site, even outwith the timetable of the operation of the railway, should be encouraged.
The building is one which is considered worthy of consideration for Registration although not actually Registered. I have spoken with the Conservation Officer and we have discussed the plans and he is content that the application should be permitted.
The Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and Environment and the resident of Port Soderick are not directly affected by the proposal and should not be afforded party status, although their support for the scheme is to be welcomed.
The Disability Access Officer makes comments in respect of accessibility which is a matter for Building Regulations and not planning and as such should not be afforded party status in this instance.
Fire Prevention Officer makes comments which relate to the Fire Precautions (Flats) Regulations 1996 which are not material planning considerations and as such Fire Prevention Officer should not be afforded party status in this instance.
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.
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.
Decision Recommended by the Director of Planning and Building Control: Permitted
Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal
C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal
C 1. This permission relates to the conversion of the building to three self-contained apartments and a railway station and associated parking all as shown in drawings 01 - 08 all received on 26th February, 2007.
C 2. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
C 3. Prior to the installation of the lights and rooflights, further details of these features must be submitted to and approved by the Planning Authority.
C 4. Prior to the occupation of the residential accommodation, the parking spaces associated with this accommodation must be set out as shown in the approved drawings and available for use as indicated.
N 1. PRIOR to the commencement of any works the applicant is advised to consult the Chief Fire Officer to ensure that adequate fire precautions are taken.
N 2. The Applicant's attention is drawn to the recommendations of the Disability Access Officer, a copy of which is attached to this notice.
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