Mill's retrospective plans not backed by authority

Laxey Glen Mills said the changes would reduce energy costs

The submission of a retrospective planning application for permission building works at an office block at a 19th Century Manx flour mill is "unacceptable", the local authority has said.

Windows and doors have been replaced with double glazing at the office building on the site of the government-subsidised Laxey Glen Mills.

The firm's application said the changes would insulate the office and reduce energy costs.

But Garff Commissioners said it would not support the changes as the building was situated in a conservation area.

At the local authority's February meeting, the board said as it had not backed previous applications which included plastic in protected areas, it would not support this submission "on principle".

Built in 1860, the mill building was designed by Robert Casement, who was also responsible for the Laxey Wheel, and is currently being considered for registered building status.

Planning procedures

The building itself is owned by the Treasury, but the operation of the mill is run at arms-length by a board of directors.

Garff Commissioners have expressed concerns that the replacement work at the office block, which was carried out late last year, meant the government had not followed its own planning rules.

Chairman Stan Ryzak said: “We have to go through that procedure.

"We have to fill out our forms and pay our fee and we have to keep it the same for everyone.”

A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture said while it was "the intention of the planning system that applications are made in advance, in order to avoid the need to return any construction to its original state", the process does allow for retrospective applications.

Laxey Glen Mills has been contacted for a comment.