Officer Planning Report Recommendation

Application No.: 10/00042/B Applicant: Barclays Private Clients International Limited Proposal: Installation of guard rails on roof Site Address: Barclays Bank 52 Parliament Street Ramsey Isle Of Man IM8 1AN ### Considerations Case Officer : Mr Gary Barr Photo Taken: 01.03.2010 Site Visit: 01.03.2010 Expected Decision Level: Senior Planning Officer ### Written Representations ### Consultations Consultee : Highways Division Notes : Consultee : Clerk To The Commissioners Notes :

Officer's Report

The Site

The application site represents the extended curtilage of Barclays Bank, 52 Parliament Street in central Ramsey.

The Proposal

The proposed planning application is seeking approval for the installation of a fall protection guard rail to the flat roof, on the rear elevation of the building. The proposed railings would be positioned adjacent to the fire exit (first floor - rear elevation) and to the northern boundary wall which leads from the first floor level to the rear lane. The railings would be 1 m in height and be made from recycled PVC weights.

Planning Status

The application site is located within an area of "Mixed Use - Town Centre" under the Ramsey South Local Plan adopted by Tynwald in 1998. Within the adopted Isle of Man Strategic Plan, General Policy 2 is considered relevant and states: "Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development:

• (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief;
• (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them;
• (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape;
• (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses;
• (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea;
• (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks;
• (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality;
• (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space;
• (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways;
• (j) can be provided with all necessary services;
• (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan;
• (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding;
• (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and
• (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption."

Planning History

The following previous planning applications should be considered in the assessment of this current planning application:

PA 02/01193/D - Erection of advertising signage to replace existing - Permitted PA 06/00033/B - Construction of a new level entrance to enable disabled access - Permitted

Representations

The Ramsey Commissioners and the Department of Transport Highways Division have not commented on the proposed development.

Assessment / Recommendation

The proposed development would be sited, scaled and designed as not to have an adverse impact on the character of the building. This is due to the fact that the proposal would be located to the rear elevation; be relatively minor in scale; finished to a high standard; and not be readily visible from the main thoroughfares of Parliament Street and West Quay to the south and north of the site respectively.

As such, the impact of the proposed development on the amenity of the neighbouring properties or the surrounding area would be duly limited and it is recommended that the planning application be permitted.

Party Status

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

The Ramsey Commissioners The Department of Transport Highways Division

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 04.03.2010 Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.

C 2. This approval relates to the submitted Location Plan, Site Plan, Drawing SCS 7744C/M/01 and Railing Details all received on 13th January, 2010.

I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular No 09/09 Delegation of functions, 10/09 Delegation of Functions (Development Procedure), GC No 11/09 (Advertisements) and GC No 12/09 (Registered Buildings) all to the Senior Planning Officer

Decision Made : Permitted Date :

Signed : Senior Planning Officer