1833:01 REPLACEMENT PARKING AREA, GARDEN WALLING AND STEPS at 3 OAK CLOSE, ONCHAN for MR JOHN AND MRS JEANETTE GELLING
Brief Planning Statement
Introduction
The property is a detached, 3-bedroom bungalow built circa 1984 on an estate of similar styled and sized properties. There is currently a steeply sloping driveway providing parking for one car to the front of the property with sloping steps providing pedestrian access to the bungalow and a lawned area adjacent. The Applicant seeks approval to alter the front parking, steps and lawn area so that two cars can be parked in a more level and easy to access manner. The excessive steepness of the existing driveway makes it difficult to open doors and climb in or out of a vehicle and also results in excessive revving of the car engine when driving onto the roadway. Mr and Mrs Gelling also find the sloping steps uncomfortable to use (see attached photographs).
Proposal
The submitted application proposes to remove the existing single width concrete steeply sloping drive and steps and replace it with a double width parking area at a more useable fall achieved by forming a retaining wall to three sides. This will only increase the width of the paved area by 2.5 m over the existing driveway and steps therefore maintaining a large proportion of the front garden area for planting. A permeable paving solution is proposed to the raised parking bay to minimise the chance of increased run-off during rainfall events.
A ramped path to the side of the parking area has been maintained to allow access for the wheelie bin up to the pavement.
As suggested in the Isle of Man Government's document 'Residential Design Guidance July 2019' (section 6.3) the pedestrian access has been separated from the parking by introducing a curving line of steps between two planting areas formed by small retaining walls. These areas will be planted with a variety of small shrubs which will provide landscaping and texture to the street scene and form a visual barrier between the living accommodation of the bungalow and the pavement. The shrubs to the pavement edge of the garden are to be low level so as not to impede visibility. At present Mr and Mrs Gelling have to park their cars on the street. They believe that by creating the new parking bays they will alleviate pressure on the cul de sac street parking, improving safety in the area.
A photograph of a detached bungalow showing the front elevation, garage, driveway, and low boundary wall.
Photograph demonstrating the excessive steepness of the existing driveway
Photograph of the front of the bungalow and garden
A photograph showing the sloping front garden and driveway area of a residential property, with a house on the right and vehicles parked on the street to the left.
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