Officer Planning Report October 2007

Planning Report And Recommendations {{table:175621}} {{table:175622}} {{table:175623}} {{table:175624}} ### Considerations ### Written Representations ### Consultations

Officer's Report

The Site

The site represents the domestic curtilage of an existing dwelling situated towards the lower end of Minorca Hill. The existing property is roughly rectangular and has traditionally proportioned chimney stacks but squarer windows than would normally be found in a truly vernacular dwelling.

Planning Status

The site lies within an area designated on the Laxey and Lonan Area Plan as Residential. The site also lies within Laxey's Conservation Area.

The Proposal

Proposed is the replacement of the existing timber framed windows with plastic framed ones of the same style and glazing pattern. Some of the windows are not visible from the public highway: those in the front generally are.

Representations

Department of Transport Highways and Traffic Division indicate that they have no objection to the proposal.

Assessment

The property is a prominent one within the village and the Conservation Area. Whilst not truly traditional, the property does have some vernacular qualities. The existing windows and window

apertures are not traditional in glazing pattern or aperture size or shape. The Conservation Area guidelines, contained within Planning Policy Statement 1/01 - Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man draws attention to the requirement in the 1999 Town and Country Planning Act, to preserve or enhance Conservation Areas in the determination of any planning application and in this case the windows are not traditional, have square proportions and no substantial subcills. As such, I am not sure that requiring sliding sash windows would necessarily enhance the appearance of the property with regard to its present appearance.

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.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision:

Date of Recommendation:

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

Decision Made : ... Committee Meeting Date : ...