Officer Planning Report

Planning Report And Recommendations {{table:202005}} ### Considerations {{table:202003}} ### Written Representations ### Consultations {{table:202004}}

Officer's Report

Site

The property is The Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Maughold, Ramsey is a large stone built church designed by the architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, located on the corner Queen's Promenade and Dale Street in Ramsey. The property is a registered building (RB 080).

Planning History

• 05/00495/CON – Retrospective Registered Building Consent application for the erection of a wrought iron screen between Lady Chapel and Baptistery - Application Permitted
• 06/00761/CON - Registered Building Consent for the installation of steel railings and entrance gate to replace existing (in association with 06/00760 GB) Application Permitted
• 06/02154/CON - Registered Building Consent for the installation of timber windows to replace existing (In association with 06/02153GB) - Application Refused
• 08/00703/CON - Registered Building consent for internal alterations (Registered Building Nos. 080) - Application Permitted

Proposal

This application proposes Registered Building Consent for the installation of a pipe organ within the existing Choir Gallery at the North Eastern end of the church naïve.

Representations

The Ramsey Commissioners have considered the application and they have no objection.

Assessment / Recommendation

I have considered the content of the application with particular consideration to POLICY RB/5 ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS as set out within Planning Policy Statement 1/01.

The scheme, though submitted by Steven Morley, Chartered Surveyors, has been designed by Peter Jones, respected organ builder. The organ is bespoke to the church and the opening within which it sits.

When considering alteration to a Registered Building, especially one designed by such an eminent architect as Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the works needs to be considered as to whether they enhance and or protect the special character of that building. In this particular case, the installation of the organ and associated pipes will have a minimal impact on the fabric of the building in their installation, but will have a fairly major visual impact on the interior. However, that impact is judged to be positive and therefore acceptable.

Recommendation:

Recommend approval of this application.

Party Status:

I consider that the following meet the criteria of Government Circular 1/06 and should be afforded interested party status:

The Ramsey Commissioners

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 09.12.2008

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

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 the following information, date stamped 03 October 2008:

• Site Location Plan 08-SMCS-616 01
• Site Plan 08-SMCS-616 02
• First Floor Plan 08-SMCS-616 03
• Plate 1 – Existing benching to choir gallery
• Plate 2 – Choir gallery viewed from South Westerly end of aisle
• Artist’s Impression 01
• Artist’s Impression 02
• Initial Layout Sketch 04
• Initial Layout Sketch 05
• Initial Layout Sketch 06
• Initial Layout Sketch 07

C 3.

PRIOR to the commencement of any building works, a photographic survey must be undertaken to record all existing internal features of interest affected by the works to the Choir Gallery and provided for approval by the Planning Authority. Such a record to be prepared in consultation with the Conservation Officer of the Department

I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular No 56/08 (Delegation of Functions to the Acting Senior Planning Officer), GC 55/08 for Advertisements and 69/08 for Registered Buildings.

Decision Made: Permitted Date: 16/12/08

Signed: Acting Senior Planning Officer