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Application No.: 10/01556/D Applicant: Star Wash Proposal: Retention of painted wall mural Site Address: Star Wash South Quay Douglas Isle Of Man IM1 5AY ### Considerations Case Officer: Mrs Jade Craig Photo Taken: 10.11.2010 Site Visit: 10.11.2010 Expected Decision Level: Senior Planning Officer ### Written Representations - Glebe Cottage Maughold Isle Of Man IM7 1AS - Interest expressed ### Consultations Consultee: Highways Division Notes: Do not oppose Consultee: Douglas Corporation Notes:** No objection.
The application site represents the curtilage of an area of land on South Quay in Douglas. The site is located between South Quay and Douglas Head Road. It is westwards of the swing bridge control tower (Registered Building no. 115) and the steps which lead up to Douglas Head Road from South Quay.
This application is seeking planning permission for the retention of a painted wall mural.
The mural advertises the "Star Wash" car washing, valeting and sales business, which operates from the site. The business was recently given temporary planning permission for a 2 year period, from the date of the approval notice.
The painted mural depicts outer space scenes from the Star Wars film and uses the film's recognisable style of lettering to write "Star Wash".
The mural is 33.5 metres (110 feet) long and 3.6 (12 feet) high. The applicant is seeking temporary permission to retain the mural for 1 to 2 years. Due to the fact that the "Star Wash" business has
recently been given approval to operate for 2 years, it is assumed that the desired period for the signage would also be 2 years.
PLANNING HISTORY The following previous planning applications are considered relevant in the assessment and determination of this application;
PA 06/00505/B - Refused at Appeal 17/04/07 Erection of an apartment block to provide 60 apartments with associated parking, Manx Petroleum's Depot & Adjoining Scrubland, Between South Quay & Head Road, Douglas, Isle of Man.
PA 07/02169/B - Permitted 25/09/08 Redevelopment of site to provide 53 residential apartments and one commercial unit including use of the adjoining scrubland as garden.
10/00578/R - Permitted 20/12/10 Change of use of site to operation of hand car washing/car valeting business and the sale of motor vehicles (Retrospective).
DEVELOPMENT PLAN POLICIES The application site is located within an area designated as Predominantly Residential Use in the Douglas Local Plan Order 1998, Map No. 2 (South). The site is not located within a Conservation Area.
The relevant planning policies from the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 are General Policy 2 and General Policy 6.
CONSULTATIONS The Department of Infrastructure Highways Division do not object to this application, as there are no traffic management, parking or road safety implications.
Douglas Corporation have no objection to the proposal.
REPRESENTATIONS The owners and/or occupiers of Glebe Cottage, Kirk Maughold, have commented on the application. They state that the mural cannot be that intrusive, as they travel the route often and have not noticed it. They also comment that the mural would appear to brighten up a dingy part of the town and recommend a temporary approval, so that it does not deteriorate too much.
ASSESSMENT The site is the former oil stores on South Quay. It has planning approval for redevelopment to provide 53 residential apartments and one commercial unit, which is valid until 25/09/12. The current use of the site as a car washing, valeting and sales business is temporary, for 2 years until 20/12/12.
The site is located within a wider area designated as Predominantly Residential Use, but South Quay is currently commercial in nature.
The mural is painted on a 3.6 metre high wall, which screens the business from view. The wall can be seen from both North and South Quay.
General Policy 6 states that within towns and villages, external advertisements will be permitted on the site or building which they relate to, provided that they meet with the following conditions;
Douglas has had other painted murals in the past, which have temporarily improved the appearance of derelict areas. For example, when the former Rendezvous café was demolished at Greensills Corner (junction of Loch Promenade and Church Road Marina), a mural was painted on the gable wall of the adjacent property, until the site was redeveloped.
In this case, the painted mural is to advertise the business which operates from the site. It adds interest to the area and the artistic quality is very good. The image is largely dark in colour and is therefore not considered to be overly intrusive in the area. The Highways Division have not raised any concerns with regard to highway safety. Overall, I do not see why planning permission cannot be granted on a temporary basis, as after a period of 2 years, the image may be weathered and starting to appear untidy.
For the above reasons, this proposal is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for approval, subject to conditions.
It is considered that the following parties, who submitted comments, should be afforded Interested Party Status;
The local authority is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (c) and (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status.
It is considered that the following parties, who submitted comments, should not be afforded Interested Party Status;
The Department of Transport Highways Division is now part of the Department of Infrastructure of which the planning authority is part. As such, the Highways and Traffic Division cannot be afforded party status in this instance.
The owners and/or occupiers of Glebe House, Kirk Maughold, live a significant distance from the site and should not be afforded party status in this instance.
Recommended Decision: Permitted
Date of Recommendation: 21.12.2010
C 1.
This approval relates to the retention of a painted wall mural, as shown in the submitted site/location plan and photograph, both date stamped 20th October 2010.
C 2. This permission is for a period of 2 years from the date of the notice. After this date, the painted mural must be removed, unless there is by then planning permission extending the period.
I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to the Senior Planning Officer.
Decision Made : Permitted Date : Signed : Senior Planning Officer
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