Planning Statement Conversion Apartments

Kelly-Lewthwaite Building Design Ltd

23 Market Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2PA. tel:676199, fax:612199, mail:[email protected]

Architectural Design & Consultancy

19th September 2016.

Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Planning and Building Control Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas Isle of Man

Dear Sirs,

RE: Proposed conversion of shop / dwelling into 3 self-contained apartments

12 Market Street, Peel. Isle of Man. IM5 1AD.

Please find enclosed 4 copies of our planning application prepared in connection with the above, together with the following planning statement in support of the submission.

Existing Building

The existing building is a 3-storey terraced structure and is currently in a very poor state of repair as can be seen in the submitted photographs. There is a small 2-storey rear annexe and a small yard at the back of the property, which can be accessed via a pedestrian corridor under and behind the adjacent property at 14 Market Street. The building has historically been used as a lock-up shop on the ground floor and an independent bedroom dwelling over, on the upper floors.

The retail shop unit was last used as a book shop a few years ago, but proved to be unviable as a business.

The site is within the Peel Town conservation area and zoned for mixed use. There are no off-road parking facilities available at the property and the nature of the site dictates that it would be impossible to provide any new proposed off-road parking spaces within the curtilage of the property.

Proposal

The proposal shows the existing building renovated and converted into 3 self-contained 1 bedroom apartment (1 person apartment on each floor).

All proposed external finishes would be sympathetic to both neighbouring properties and the Peel Town conservation area. Walls would be finished in smooth cement render and painted. Windows on the street elevation would be white. Upvc double glazed sliding sash units complete with horns.

The new apartments would comply with Environment Health standards in terms of facilities and occupancy levels.

Satisfactory sound proofing would be provided between units and all necessary current fire precaution work would be incorporated within the scheme.

Car Parking.

We do not expect any increase in parking demands as a result of the development, bearing in mind the size and single occupancy levels of the proposed units. We believe that the parking requirements for the proposals would be similar to that currently required for the ground floor shop unit and 3 bed dwelling over. As well as street parking, there are 2 public car parks available close to the property, at the bottom of Market Street and at the top of Market Street, adjacent to the Market Place. The site is close to a bus route and within a Town Centre location where there may be less need to own a vehicle.

Parking standards can also be relaxed in conservation areas where the streetscene is to be preserved and where a development would benefit the character of the conservation area.

Conclusion.

The proposal provides an opportunity to restore and improve, what is currently an unsightly / run down building, to a standard more in keeping with the recognised conservation area status.

The shop unit on the ground floor has proved not to be a viable proposition historically, as businesses in this location, only seem to last a short while.

It is also relevant that shopping trends have changed in recent years with consumers preferring to purchase and source goods "on line".

The proposal together with restoration work on the property, on completion, would enhance this part of the Peel Town conservation area.

We trust the enclosed is in order and would be pleased if you would place the application before your Planning Committee in due course for their necessary consideration and favourable approval.

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require any further information.

Yours sincerely,

DONEL KELLY Director.