Loading document...
Tel +44(0)1624 631000 · Fax +44(0)1624 631001
31 July 2012
Ref. S/StG/P/PAAug12
Planning Division Department of Infrastructure Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas IM1 2SF
31
Dear Sirs,
Re Proposed construction of a five storey office building with 2 floors of car parking No. 19 - 20, St George's Street, Douglas
Please find attached a detailed planning application for the above. In support of this application, we would offer the following information;
THE SITE The application site comprises land at the corner of Hope Street and St George's Street, backing onto St George's Churchyard, Douglas. The land has been cleared of buildings and is now used for surface level car parking, pending redevelopment.
The site falls by some 3m from the northern corner on Hope Street to the southern corner on St George's Street. There are trees adjacent to the application site, being located within the Churchyard.
The site is within an area zoned predominantly Office Use in the Douglas Local Plan 1998.
RECENT PLANNING HISTORY PA 08/01542/B granted planning approval for the erection of a 5 storey office building with basement parking for 20 cars.
THE PROPOSAL The application proposes the erection of a 5 storey building plus a semi basement and full basement containing car parking.
The proposed development will provide approximately 1,842 sqm of net lettable office floor space and 30 car parking spaces plus motor cycle and push bike parking. There will be on site refuse storage contained in the lower ground floor.
The architecture is of modern style with predominantly smooth painted render finish and large areas of glazing. The window frames will be in polyester powder coated aluminium with polyester powder coated aluminium cladding panels corresponding with floor zones and at projecting eaves detail.
The two top floors are predominately glazed to reduce their 'visual weight' and the top floor is stepped back to further reduce its visual impact. The prominent corner of the building has been articulated by full height glazing to display the staircase circulation core, thereby providing dramatic 'animation' when the stairs are in use. The glazed corner will also provide opportunity for a decorative lighting scheme.
The extant planning approval PA 08/01542/B provides for 20 car parking spaces with tandem parking being used. The proposals now submitted provides 30 car parking spaces with no reliance on tandem parking. This has been achieved by using a car lift to access an additional basement floor for parking.
In operation, the access doors into the car lift will be activated by a remote control within the car intending to use the lift. Drivers wanting to use the lift will be directed by traffic lights adjacent the lift to indicate whether the lift can be used or if the driver should wait in a safe place until the lift is ready.
The above proposals have been discussed with Mr Derek Sewell and Ms Hazel Fletcher of the Highways Department and it is believed that the use of a car lift would be looked upon favourably given that there are sufficient waiting areas in close proximity to the building, without causing obstruction. The provision of extra car parking associated with the scheme would also be of benefit given the imminent loss of car parking facilities elsewhere in Douglas.
Whilst the site will be fully built on by the proposed development, proper consideration with be given to the preservation of the trees adjacent the site, located within the Churchyard. We are aware that it is good practice not to carry out building works within the canopy of existing trees as the roots of most trees occupy the area covered by the canopy to a usual maximum depth of about 1 m . It is noted however that the ground level in the Churchyard is significantly higher than that of the site and that the ground is being retained by a masonry wall. This means that the retaining wall is acting as a 'tree guard' and it is unlikely that any roots from the trees extend on to the proposed site. This means that building within the canopy, in this situation, will not affect the health of the trees.
The scheme as submitted addresses a number of concerns that we have with the extant approval, namely;
We trust the above and enclosed information provides sufficient information for this application to be considered but should you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Yours faithfully,
George Li For and on behalf of Hartford Homes
Encl
Copyright in submitted documents remains with their authors. Request removal
View as Markdown