Planning Officer Report

Case Officer: Mrs Jade Craig Photo Taken: Site Visit: Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer's Report

The Site

1. The application site represents the curtilage of an existing office unit which is currently occupied by Britannia International. The site comprises an existing single storey building which is Unit 1, 87 Parliament Street, Ramsey.
2. The site is located on the southern side of Parliament Street, opposite Auckland Terrace and immediately to the west of Millichap's furniture store. There are other similar units to the west of the application site.

The Proposal

1. Proposed is the installation of replacement signage to the Parliament Street elevation of the building, including the sign over the entrance and the projecting sign to the right hand side.
2. Both of the existing signs consist of white lettering on a red background and they read "Britannia International".
3. Both of the proposed signs would read "Britannia International part of The co-operative bank." The sings would be very similar to the existing in terms of their size and position.
4. The largest sign above the entrance would measure approximately 3.8 metres long by 630mm high. It would consist of a ply fascia surrounded with a timber moulding. The background would be painted red and the lettering would be in white vinyl. The existing downward lights above the sign would be retained.
5. The projecting sign to the right of the entrance would measure approximately 800mm long by 400mm. It would project out over the pavement by 861mm at a height of 2.3 metres. The frame would be made of black aluminium. The background would be in red and the lettering would be mostly in white vinyl with "The co-operative" in blue.

Planning History

1. The following previous planning applications are considered relevant in the assessment and determination of this application:

• 95/00531/C – Permitted 16.08.95

Change of use from shop premises to office accommodation, unit 1, 87, Parliament Street, Ramsey.

• 95/01147/D – Refused 19.12.95

Application No.:	11/01216/D
Applicant:	Britannia International Ltd
Proposal:	Installation of signage
Site Address:	Britannia International Ltd 87 Parliament Street Ramsey Isle Of Man IM8 1AQ

Erection of advertising sign, Unit 1, 87, Parliament Street, Ramsey.

• 95/01148/D – Refused 21.12.95

Erection of advertisement sign, Unit 1, 87, Parliament Street, Ramsey.

• 95/01575/D – Permitted 16.04.96

Provision of advertising signs, Unit 1, 87, Parliament Street, Ramsey.

• 98/02071/D – Permitted 17.05.99

Illumination of existing signage, Britannia International Ltd, 87 Parliament Street, Ramsey.

Development Plan Policies

1. The application site is located within an area designated as Mixed Use (Town Centre) on the Ramsey Local Plan Order 1998, Map No. 2 (South). The site is not located within the Ramsey Conservation Area, but it is opposite Albion Terrace which is a terrace of Registered Buildings (RB 151).

1. The relevant policy from the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 is General Policy 6, which states; "Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements will be permitted on the site or building to which they relate provided they:

• (a) are of a high standard of design and materials and relate well to the building and site on which they are to be displayed;
• (b) are in keeping with and do not detract from the surrounding area; and
• (c) are located so as not to cause a highway safety hazard."

Consultations

1. Ramsey Town Commissioners have no objection to the proposal.

Representations

1. No written responses have been received from the general public.

Assessment

1. The application proposes replacement signage for the frontage of Unit 1, 87 Parliament Street, Ramsey. The site has previously been given planning approval for its existing use, the existing signage and the illumination of existing signage.

1. The elevation to Parliament Street has the overall appearance of a shop frontage with its existing signage and window displays. It is considered that the proposed signage would have a similar overall appearance to the existing, with the addition of the words "part of The cooperative bank" underneath "Britannia International."

1. The proposal is judged to be minimal and would have a minimal impact on the surrounding area, which is not within the Ramsey Conservation Area.

Recommendation

1. For the above reasons, this proposal is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for approval.

Party Status

1. It is considered that the following parties should be afforded interested party status:

• Ramsey Town Commissioners is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 04.10.2011

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Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C: Conditions for approval N: Notes attached to conditions R: Reasons for refusal O: 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 installation of signage; as shown in the 1:1250 Location Plan, the 1:500 Site Plan and drawing number 01, all date stamped 30 August 2011.

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I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control / Development Control Manager.

Decision Made: Permitted Date: 10 October 2011

Signed: Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control

OR Signed: Jennifer Chance Development Control Manager