Ebenezer Chapel & land to the North of Field 411, La Route D' Ebenezer, Trinity.

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A decision made (23/11/2007) regarding: Ebenezer Chapel & land to the North of Field 411, La Route D' Ebenezer, Trinity. Change of use of land to north of Field 411 to form surfaced carpark with link to church. Demolish outbuildings to rear of church hall and construct extension. Alteration to vehicle access. Material alterations to rear elevation of cottage.

Decision Reference: MD-PE-2007-0331			Application Number: P/2007/2200 (If applicable)
Decision Summary Title :	Ebenezer Chapel & land to the North of Field 411, La Route D' Ebenezer, Trinity		Date of Decision Summary:		23 November 2007
Decision Summary Author:	Elizabeth Ashworth		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)		Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:		N/A
Written Report Title :	Ebenezer Chapel & land to the North of Field 411, La Route D' Ebenezer, Trinity		Date of Written Report:		23 November 2007
Written Report Author:	Elizabeth Ashworth		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)		Public
Subject: Ebenezer Chapel & land to the North of Field 411, La Route D' Ebenezer, Trinity Change of use of land to north of field 411 to form surfaced carpark with link to church. Demolish outbuildings to rear of church hall and construct extension. Alteration to vehicle access. Material alterations to rear elevation of cottage.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the application and agreed the conditions listed on the Officer’s Report. In addition the Minister imposed a further condition: Condition: All new windows shall be of timber and details shall be submitted for the agreement of the Historic Buildings Officer prior to the commencement of the works.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Minister was satisfied that an exception to Policy C6 of the Island Plan 2002 was appropriate in this case to ensure the continued use of the Chapel, which is a Building of Local Interest, in the interests of the community.
Resource Implications: None
Action required: Notify Agent and all other interested parties
Signature:		Ass Dir Initials		Position: Minister / Assistant Minister
Date Signed:		CEO Initials		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed): 23 November 2007

Ebenezer Chapel & land to the North of Field 411, La Route D' Ebenezer, Trinity.

Planning and Environment Department

Report

Application Number

P/2007/2200

Site Address	Ebenezer Chapel & land to the North of Field 411, La Route D' Ebenezer, Trinity.

Applicant	Rev B Slatter

Description	Change of use of land to north of field 411 to form surfaced carpark with link to church. Demolish outbuildings to rear of church hall and construct extension. Alteration to vehicle access. Material alterations to rear elevation of cottage.

Type	Planning

Date Validated	18/09/2007

Zones	Building Of Local Interest Green Zone Water Pollution Safeguard Area

Policies	G2 –General Development Considerations G13 Buildings of Local Interest

Reason for Referral	Departure from Island Plan

Summary/

Conclusion

Whilst the use of former agricultural land for the purpose of car parking would not normally be supported, the circumstances of the case outweigh the policy considerations.

Officer

Recommendation

Approve

Site Description	A field to the north of Ebenezer Chapel

Relevant Planning History	None

Existing use of Land/Buildings	Fallow land measuring under 1 vergee.

Proposed use of Land/Buildings	Car park for the specific use of the Chapel and Community Centre

Consultations	Transport & Technical Services (Highways) in their letter dated 15 October 2007 support the proposal but require that improvements are made to the nearside visibility splays and it is understood that these can be achieved. Parish in their letter dated 12 October 2007 fully support the plans to alleviate the car parking problems. LC &ADS in their letter dated 26 October 2007 advise that the loss of this small area of unproductive land will have no impact on the agricultural industry as it has not been farmed for some time. Design & Conservation in their letter dated 9 October 2007 state that there are no comments. All consultations are attached with the background papers

Summary of Representations	There have been no letters of representation.

Planning Issues	Policy Considerations C6 seeks to protect the countryside from harmful development. The area where the vehicles would park on those days when the Chapel is in use is not readily visible from the surrounding area. G13 seeks to protect buildings of historic interest from inappropriate works. In this instance there are no concerns relating to the removal of part of the Chapel and its replacement with a smaller building. Land Use Implications The land has not been worked for some time and there are no implications for the land Size, Scale & Siting The alterations to the building to ease the pinch point for traffic using the car park are considered to be of a minor and non-intrusive nature. Design & Use of Materials The alterations are acceptable and the materials will match the existing render on the replacement building with upvc. Timber on the cottage. Impact on Neighbours None Access, Car parking and Highway Considerations The provision of a car park is achievable and will provide a replacement for an arrangement with the property adjacent that no longer applies. Foul Sewage Disposal To foul sewer Landscaping issues Additional landscaping will be required as part of the permission around the perimeter of the proposed car parking area to help maintain the rural character of the area. Other Material Considerations Until recently the Chapel was able to use the car park of the adjacent Highfield Hotel for the parking of cars. Now that the hotel has been granted a change of use to residential use this arrangement is no longer possible. Even with the informal arrangement there are times when the parking on the road is necessary. In these cases the Honorary Police make the road one way. Agreement has been reached between the landowner, the hotel developer and the Church whereby the Church can receive the necessary land to form a car park. The Church would benefit by obtaining its own parking and modernised facility and disabled access will be made much easier and includes provision for disabled toilets. Not only will the church continue to increase its mission to the community but the future of the buildings, which are Buildings of Local Interest are secured for the built heritage of the island as a whole and road safety for users of La Rue d’Ebenezer is achieved.

Officer Recommendation	Approve

Conditions/ Reasons	Landscaping and visibility requirements.

Background Papers	1:2500 Location Plan Letter from Agent Letter from Parish Report of T&T(Highways) Report of Historic Buildings Officer Report of Land Controls

Endorsed by:

Date: