Officer Report

Application No.: 25/00432/D Applicant: Mr Ryan Forgie Proposal: Erection of non-illuminated signage Site Address: Onchan Park Onchan Isle Of Man IM3 1HU Planning Officer: Vanessa Porter Expected Decision Level: Planning Committee Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 11.08.2025 _________________________________________________________________

Conditions and Notes for Approval

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions

• C 1. The advertisement(s) hereby granted consent shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice. Reason: To avoid the accumulation of unimplemented advertisement consents.
• C 2. There shall be no internal or external illumination of the signage hereby approved.

Reason: for the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of the Dark Skies Area as stated within the Area Plan for the East

• C 3. In the event that the signage hereby approved is no longer required, the signage and any associated supports shall be removed within 6 months and the building restored to its former condition. Reason: to avoid the accumulation of unwarranted structures in the interest of visual amenity.

This application has been recommended for approval for the following reason.

The installation of the non-illuminated signage on the site complies with The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 and is also in accordance with General Policy 6 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016.

Plans/Drawings/Information;

This decision relates to the following plans and drawings, date stamped received on 29th April 2025;

• o Drawing No. EX-02
• o Drawing No. P-02

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________________________________________________________________ Interested Person Status n/a _________________________________________________________________ Officer’s Report THE PLANNING APPLICATION IS BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMITTEE AT THE REQUEST OF THE HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT THE APPLICATION SITE

1.1 The application site is within the curtilage of the existing Dance Studio/ Soft Play Area which is situated within the centre of the Onchan Pleasure Park complex. THE PROPOSAL - 2.1 The current planning application seeks approval for the erection of a sign measuring 0.8m by 2m, with a width of 5mm which is to be a "black foam PVC sign board printed using full colour UV external grade digital inks." The sign is to read The Meadow, est 2021 in several different sizing's. PLANNING HISTORY - 3.1 There are no previous applications situated on the site, which are relevant to this application, bar PA25/90403/C, which is for "Change of use from soft play area to gym" which is currently pending. PLANNING POLICY - 4.1 The site lies within an area zoned as "Open Space, Park" on the Area Plan for the East, Map 6 - Onchan. The site is not within a Flood Risk Zone but is situated within a Conservation Area.

4.2 The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 make it clear that the only considerations which can be applied to applications made under them are in the interests of amenity and public safety. In the case of amenity, such things as the general characteristics of the area need to be taken into account along with the presence of any features of historic, architectural, cultural or similar interest and the public safety should consider the safety of any person using a road, railway, tramway, harbour or aerodrome including the obscuration of any traffic sign or similar. - 4.3 Further to the above it is relevant to assess the application under General Policy 2 which sets out general development standards, General Policy 6 which sets out what is expected for the display of external advertisements and General policy 7 which sets out that the display of adverts must be in relation to the site they are situated upon.

REPRESENTATIONS

5.1 Onchan Commissioners and Highway Services were consulted 29th April 2025, of which no consultation has been received at the time of writing this report, 11.08.25. ASSESSMENT - 6.1 The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 make it clear that the only considerations which can be applied to applications made under them are in the interests of amenity and public safety. In the case of amenity, such things as the general characteristics of the area need to be taken into account along with the presence of any features of historic, architectural, cultural or similar interest and the public safety should consider the safety of any person using a road, railway, tramway, harbour or aerodrome including the obscuration of any traffic sign or similar.

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6.2 Further to this paragraph 6.6.2 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016 makes it clear that "within our towns and villages, well designed and sensitively sited advertisements can contribute positively to the character of a building or area, and can be of help to the general public. However, advertisements which are too bright, overlarge or poorly sited may endanger safety by distracting or confusing highway users and may, both individually and cumulatively, detract from amenity by being intrusive, by introducing clutter and visual confusion or by masking features of interest or attraction". Paragraph 6.6.3 furthers on this stating that "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". - 6.3 Overall the signage is considered acceptable in size and scale, with the signage not containing any illumination and as such it is considered the design and siting of the sign is acceptable and would comply with General Policies 6 and 7 and would meets the general standards set out in The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013. CONCLUSION

7.1 Overall it is considered that the size, scale, siting and design of the sign is deemed acceptable and relates to the use of the site, would have no adverse visual or amenity harm to the public or public safety. As such the application would accord with The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013, as well as meeting with the principles of General Policies 6, 7 and 8 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016. - 7.2 For the avoidance of doubt there shall be two conditions added, one to ensure no illumination due to the site being situated within a Dark Skies Area within the Area Plan for the East and a second to require its removal in the event that it is no longer needed. INTERESTED PERSON STATUS

8.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2013 (As Amended), the following persons are automatically interested persons:

• o The applicant, or if there is one, the applicant's agent;
• o Any Government Department that has made written submissions relating to planning considerations with respect to the application that the Department considers material;
• o The local authority in whose district the land which the subject of the application is situated.
• o the Highways, Ports and Railways divisions of the Department of Infrastructure.

8.2 The decision-maker must determine:

• o whether any other comments from Government Departments (other than those explicitly listed above) are material; and
• o whether there are other persons to those listed above who should be given Interested Person Status.

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I confirm that this decision has been made by the Planning Committee in accordance with the authority afforded to that body by the appropriate DEFA Delegation and that in making this decision the Committee has agreed the recommendation in relation to who should be afforded interested person status and/or rights to appeal.

Decision Made: Permitted Date: 26.08.2025 Signed : Lucy Kinrade Presenting Officer

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