Planning Officer Report

Case Officer: Mr Steve Stanley Photo Taken: Site Visit: Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer's Report

Introduction

1. This application seeks permission to erect an advertisement board adjacent to a public highway on the outskirts of Douglas town centre. The matter has been the subject of an enforcement complaint.

The Site

1. The application site is the curtilage of Shearwater House, Nunnery Mills, Old Castletown Road, Douglas. The site is occupied by a Manx stone building which is used as offices. The sign has been erected behind a Manx stone wall which provides the boundary between the site and the highway.

The Proposal

1. This application seeks approval for the temporary installation of a sign which advertises the property for let and includes details of the floor space, number of parking spaces and contact details of the estate agent. It is constructed from Correx board and is mounted on a wooden frame. The sign is in place and measures 8' by 4' (1.2 m by 2.4 m). It is stated that the sign is proposed to remain in place until the vacant building is let.

Development Plan Policies

1. The application site is located within an area that is designated by the Douglas Local Plan as being Private Woodland which is a particular category of Open Space or Woodland.

1. Within the Isle of Man Strategic Plan, the following are judged to be relevant:

General Policy 6:

"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."

Application No.:	11/01489/D
Applicant:	Anglo International Properties
Proposal:	Erection of an advertisement board (retrospective)
Site Address:	Shearwater House Nunnery Mills Old Castletown Road Douglas Isle Of Man IM2 1QA

General Policy 7:

"Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements on sites or buildings other than those to which they relate will not generally be permitted."

Paragraph 6.6.3:

"Within rural areas, advertisements can be disruptive features which affect adversely the appearance of the landscape and the countryside. Lighting can pollute the night sky, and may be contrary to nature conservation interests."

General Policy 8:

"Within rural areas the display of external advertisements will be permitted only where:

• (d) they are located on or directly next to the premises to which they relate;
• (e) they do not detract from the appearance of either the immediate area or the landscape;
• (f) they are normally constructed of traditional materials unless the nature of the display or location would render such materials inappropriate;
• (g) any illumination, which will be permitted only where it is essential, is kept to a minimum and is so hooded as to prevent undesirable escape of light;
• (h) they are located so as not to cause a highway safety hazard; and
• (i) any illumination will not have an adverse effect on areas of ecological value."

PLANNING HISTORY

1. Given the nature of this proposal, none of the previous planning applications relating to the site are deemed to be relevant.

REPRESENTATIONS

1. The Highways Division of the Department of Infrastructure does not oppose this application.
2. Douglas Corporation does not object to this application.

ASSESSMENT

1. The key issues to be assessed in the determination of this application are the impact of the development on the surrounding area and highway safety.
2. The site is not designated for development but it is not open countryside. If the application were for a permanent sign of this design and in this location, it is unlikely that it would find favour with the relevant policies as it is not an attractive feature. However the sign has a clear purpose of advertising the building for let. The sign does not cause highway safety concerns and as such it is judged that a temporary permission of 12 months would be reasonable. After this time the sign should be removed.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Permit for a temporary period of 12 months (until 1 January 2013).

PARTY STATUS

1. It is considered that the following parties, who submitted comments, accord with the requirements of Planning Circular 1/06 and are therefore, afforded Interested Party Status:

Douglas Corporation

1. Accordingly the following parties are not granted Interested Party Status:

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 09.12.2011

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. This approval relates to the erection of an advertisement board, Shearwater House, Nunnery Mills, Old Castletown Road, Douglas as shown by Location Plan, Site Plan, Photograph and sign detail received 26th October 2011.

C 2. The advertisement board permitted must be removed on or before 1st January 2013 and the land restored to its former condition.

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 : 09.12.2011

Signed : Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control

OR Signed : Jennifer Chance Development Control Manager