Officer Planning Report

Case Officer: Miss S E Corlett Photo Taken: 12.10.2011 Site Visit: 12.10.2011 Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer's Report

The Site

1. The application site is that of the former Albert Road School, located no the southern side of Albert Road. The site has to the east a relatively new residential development (Close ny Chibbyr): to the south very close (within 2m) is the older residential development of Close Woirrey and to the west is a slip road - a public highway between Albert Road and Queen's Pier Road and beyond that to the west is a small area of public open space owned and maintained by the local authority who is also the applicant in this case.

1. The site is relatively level and is now laid out as a car park with the access and exit from the west from the slip road. Some of the site remains un-finished

The Proposal

1. Proposed is the physical extension of the car park to the south east of the existing car park. The extension will be into a part of the school site which was left with a bitmac surface and will add a further 40m by 19.6m area which will accommodate 32 spaces. The existing gate entrance is to be retained to the new car parking area which is accessed only through the existing car park.

Planning Status And Policy

1. The site lies within an area designated as Town Centre - Y Faaie where there is a provision for a mixture of uses - public transport termini, community uses, housing, a visitor centre, public car parking and landscaped public open play space.

1. As the use is compatible with the prevailing land use, General Policy 2 is applicable in this case which states:

General Policy 2 states: "Development which is in accordance with the land use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development:

a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the space around them; c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape;

Application No.:	11/01293/B
Applicant:	Ramsey Town Commissioners
Proposal:	Extension to existing temporary car park to create an additional 31 spaces
Site Address:	Former Albert Road School Site
Albert Road
Ramsey
Isle Of Man
IM8 1JB

d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; i) does not have an adverse effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; j) can be provided with all necessary services; k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption."

Planning History

1. Planning permission was granted for the creation of the car park under PA 11/0168. This did not involve all of the site and confined the car parking area to a L shape at the western end.

Representations

1. There are no representations on file at the time of writing.

Assessment

1. The area for parking exists and it is sensible to make full use of it whilst the site remains undeveloped for a new use. This is particularly relevant as on-street and public car parking in and around the town centre is limited. There are no adverse impacts from the extension of the car park as proposed and there will be little impact other than the fact that there are vehicles parked on the area presently vacant.

Party Status

1. The local authority, Ramsey Town Commissioners are, 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: 21.10.2011 Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions

R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

C 1. The use must be taken up within four years of the date of this notice in order for this approval to remain valid after that time.

C 2. This permission relates to the use of the area shown in drawings 10 and 11 received on 16th September, 2011 for car parking.

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 : 25/10/11

Signed : Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control

OR

Signed : Jennifer Chance Development Control Manager