Planning Applications in 2016/2018 and Building Regulation Compliance

Summary

The request sought planning approval statistics for 2016-2017 and building regulation data on air tightness and U-values. The Department provided full planning approval numbers but refused to provide average air pressure results or specific U-value counts, citing that the information is not held in a retrievable format.

Key Facts

• Planning approval data was provided for 20 specific application types between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017.
• Air tightness recording only began in March 2017, with 91 tests recorded by March 13, 2019.
• Two buildings were subject to more than one air tightness test.
• The Department refused to provide average air pressure results or U-value calculation counts because the data is not recorded in a form allowing such analysis.
• All building control applications for heated spaces must contain U-value calculations to meet the Building Control Act 1991 standards.

Data Disclosed

• 294
• 114
• 1,084
• 312
• 446
• 15
• 226
• 19
• 13
• 14
• 4
• 8
• 32
• 30
• 6
• 24
• 50
• 3
• 91
• 2
• 1st January 2016
• 31st December 2017
• March 2017
• 13th March 2019
• Building Control Act 1991
• Schedule 3 of the Building Control (Approved documents) Order 2014

Exemptions Cited

• Practical refusal: Information not recorded in a form that allows an average to be provided or specific counts to be derived without creating new information.

Original Request

Can you provide me with the following numbers; 1. The number of planning application approvals for a. New Buildings i) Dwellings ii) Commercial b. Extensions to dwellings c. Conservatory additions d. Loft Conversions e. New windows f. Refurbishment of existing buildings 2. How many buildings were tested for Air Tightness i) Were any subject to more than one test? ii) Average AP results 3. How many applications contained U-value calculations i) Walls ii) Floors iii) Ceiling/Roofs (If Room in Roof) iv) Windows and Doors Hi Please provide the information between the following dates; 1st January 2016 and 31st December 2017 For the following 'Types' of planning application; AB99 Erection of a dwelling AC99 Conversion to a dwelling AD99 Alteration to a dwelling AE99 Extension to a dwelling AF99 Alteration and extension to a dwelling AG99 Erection of a conservatory AH99 Installation of replacement windows AI99 Conversion to apartments AJ99 Alteration to existing apartments DA99 Erection of tourist accommodation EA99 Erection of an office EB99 Conversion to an office EC99 Alteration to an office ED99 Extension to an office FA99 Erection of retail unit IB99 Erection of industrial unit ID99 Alteration to an industrial unit IE99 Extension to an industrial unit SP99 Installation of solar panels

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 762865 27th March 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on the 12th March 2019 (subsequently clarified on the 14th March) which states:

"Can you provide me with the following numbers; 1. The number of planning application approvals for new buildings for the categories noted below for the period 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2017. The categories and timescales were clarified after request from the Department. DEFA Uniform Ref. Application type Number of planning approvals AB99 Erection of dwelling 294 AC99 Conversion to dwelling 114 AD99 Alteration to a dwelling 1,084 AE99 Extension to a dwelling 312 AF99 Alteration and extension to a dwelling 446 AG99 Erection of a conservatory 15 AH99 Installation of replacement windows 226 AI99 Conversion to apartments 19 AJ99 Alteration to existing apartments 13 DA99 Erection of tourist accommodation 14 EA99 Erection of an office 4 EB99 Conversion to an office 8 EC99 Alteration to an office 32 ED99 Extension to an office 30 FA99 Erection of a retail unit 6 IB99 Erection of an industrial unit 24 ID99 Alteration to an industrial unit 50 IE99 Extension to an industrial unit 4 SP99 Installation of solar panels 3

1. How many buildings were tested for Air Tightness Answer - Air tightness recording has taken place since March 2017. Information prior to that date is not held. 91 tests had been recorded to the 13th March 2019. i) Were any subject to more than one test? Answer – Two were tested twice. ii) Average AP [Air Pressure] results Answer – These figures are not recorded in a form that will allow an average to be provided, consequently a practical refusal reason applies as the Department is not required to create or derive information from information that it holds, nor to undertake research into, or analysis of, information that it holds.
2. How many applications contained U-value calculations i) Walls ii) Floors iii) Ceiling/Roofs (If Room in Roof) iv) Windows and Doors Answer – This figure is not recorded in a form that will allow information be provided, consequently a practical refusal reason applies as the Department is not required to create or derive information from information that it holds, nor to undertake research into, or analysis of, information that it holds. Although the Department does not hold a separate record of U-values all building control applications are assessed in accordance with the Building Control Act 1991 and its associated regulations under Schedule 3 of the Building Control (Approved documents) Order 2014. All applications which relate to a heated space must contain U Value calculations. If the U Values do not meet the required standards then an amendment would be requested and if that wasn’t provided the plans will not be passed. All proposed works must meet or exceed the stated U-values before any plans will be passed. For your further information here is a link to the regulations https://www.gov.im/media/1346179/building-control- approveddocuments-order-2014.pdf Please quote the reference number 762865 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely