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We are seeking planning approval on behalf of our client the Department of Infrastructure - Highways Division for improvement works to Market Place, Douglas Street and Michael Street, Peel and provide the following planning statement in support of this application.
The site is located in the Peel Conservation Area and includes Market Place, Douglas Street to the junction with Michael Street, and Michael Street to the junction with Orry Lane. It forms part of a regeneration project for Peel Town Centre.
The proposals comprise the re-definition of the road layout through Market Place and rationalisation of parking and pedestrian provision in the vicinity, replacement of surface finishes in Douglas Street and the removal of raised pavements in Michael street to create a more 'pedestrian friendly' environment. The material used will be the same throughout to improve visual and pedestrian connectivity between the individual areas and form a more cohesive 'Town Centre' impression.
Improved guidance for vehicles passing through Market Place and the rationalisation of the parking has allowed for increased pedestrian amenity space and, with the ruin of St. Peter church in Market Place forming a natural focal point, the construction of steps with level access walkway and drop kerbs will improve pedestrian circulation. New local information signboards, seating, planting to soften the urban landscaping and new locally themed artwork, which will take the form of 2.1 m high screening of the adjacent Car Park.
Pedestrian areas have been increased outside the Manx Wildlife Trust,
The existing sheltered seating area has also been altered, with the ends being opened up to form part of the footway along the front of the new car parking spaces. The proposed alteration to the shelter will reduce the degree of enclosure and restrict the possibility of misuse.
In Douglas Street the widening of the roadway outside Lloyds Bank will alleviate the problem of people parking on the pavement or blocking the roadway whilst attending the cashpoint. Through consultation with the Department of Infrastructure - Highways, this has been designed not to appear as a parking bay.
Michael Street will become one level carriageway, with central surface water drainage provision and footpath areas delineated by a change in materials rather than a kerb, allowing pedestrians to move more freely between shops. Traffic to this area is one way and restricted during the day.
A lighting scheme has been prepared, which includes new lamp posts, under seat lighting and illuminated bollards. Recessed lighting has been strategically placed to highlight structural features on the surrounding buildings and St. Peters. All new lighting will be low energy and benefit from LED technology.
See Appendix B: Lighting - Product Data Sheets.
New bins have been located around the Market Place area. For further information see drawing no. 1720.02 / PH-02 / P04: Proposed Street Furniture.
Existing signage will be replaced and where required new signage will be provided along with new road markings. See Appendix C: Road Signage.
It is intended that any required renewal of statutory utilities in the carriageway or footpath, will be incorporated into the scheme to keep future disruption to local residents, shop owners and tenants to a minimum.
FINISHES
The selected materials are all smooth and will be laid with minimal joints to make circulation and shop deliveries as easy as possible.
The proposed finishes include granite kerbs, varying sizes of sandstone paving slabs to footpaths, 150x150mm smooth granite setts to roadway and specific areas.
Crossing points will be created using granite drop kerbs and granite tactile paving to provide a visual contrast. Flat granite kerbs and 150x150mm smooth granite setts are used to define the crossing points and provide a natural slowing of vehicle into this section of the road. Crossing points and transition strips will be flush with the road surface, and do not form a ramp or rumble strip.
The edges of the road are finished with 3 courses of 100x100mm stone setts in contrasting colour, which help to define the roadway and enhance the streetscape. The road will be finished in tarmacadam.
The natural sandstone paving and granite kerbs have also been carefully selected to create contrast and definition between footpaths and highways whilst also providing durable surfacing more in keeping with a conservation area.
It is intended that the existing granite kerbs being removed will be re-used within the proposed scheme. It has now been agreed that these will be cut and dressed as required to form the cappings to the planters and seats of the benches outside the Manx Wildlife Trust.
The finishes as previously approved are:
Footpaths:
'Beige Pirineo' sandstone supplied by Hardscape, sawn finish. Coursed random pattern using varying course widths of 300, 450 and 600mm with random lengths between 300 and 600mm. This has been selected to tone in with the other materials to provide a traditional/historic streetscape.
Kerbs:
'Magma' granite supplied by Hardscape, bush hammered finish.
These provide an appearance similar to the existing kerbs in Peel and those previously salvaged from Athol Street/Derby Road, which we are going to try and reuse as mentioned above.
Roadway to Market Place:
150 x 150mm 'Magma' granite setts supplied by Hardscape, bush hammered finish.
Border/edging to roadway in Market Place:
100 x 100mm 'Azul Pirineo' sandstone supplied by Hardscape, flamed finish.
3 No. rows to main areas and 1 No. 150 x 150 mm wide row to parking bays.
This darker finish is required along the kerb edges, providing a colour contrast to emphasise the change in level and reducing the risk of tripping.
Road Surface:
Tarmacadam.
Planning Officer Sarah Corlett was invited to comment on the proposals and provided positive feedback and suggestions, which have been incorporated into the proposed scheme.
The Department of Infrastructure - Highways was invited to comment on the proposals and provided positive feedback and suggestions, which have been incorporated into the proposed scheme.
The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service was invited to comment on the proposals and provided positive feedback.
A services search has been carried out by BB Consulting Engineers and has revealed nothing untoward. The location of the drainage can be identified from the Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority's records, but the exact location should be identified on site.
A services search has been carried out by BB Consulting Engineers and has revealed nothing untoward. The location of the electricity supply can be identified from the MEA records, but the exact location should be identified on site.
A services search has been carried out by BB Consulting Engineers and has revealed nothing untoward. The location of the telecom supply can be identified from Manx Telecoms records, but the exact location should be identified on site.
A services search has been carried out by BB Consulting Engineers and has revealed nothing untoward. The location of the gas supply can be identified from Manx Gas records, but the exact location should be identified on site.
The drawings being submitted as part of this planning application are listed below:
Drawings prepared by McGarrigle Architects Ltd:
Information prepared by Professional Lighting Design:
Information prepared by Department of Infrastructure, Technical Services:
The proposals will provide enhanced pedestrian areas, define the vehicular route through Market Place, screen off the existing car park, open up the existing shelter, rationalise parking, open up the existing grounds of St Peters Church ruins and provide a level pedestrian priority feel to Michael Street.
The proposal will result in the removal of a low quality streetscape and replace it with a well-considered and high quality finish which will enhance and define the character of Peel Town Centre.
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