Officer Planning Report Recommendation
Planning Report And Recommendations {{table:460587}} ### Considerations {{table:460583}} ### Written Representations {{table:460584}} ### Consultations {{table:460585}} {{table:460586}}
Officer's Report
The Site
The site is unit 8, Arbory Street, previously a shop which sits on the northern side of Arbory Street, opposite the Kowloon take away and between a former estate agent's and a shop.
Planning Status
The site lies within an area designated on the Castletown Local Plan of 1991, the draft Castletown Plan of 2001 and the draft Southern Area Plan which was published on 23rd October, 2009 as Mixed Use.
Planning History
The most recent application for this site was PA 07/1490 which proposed a redevelopment of the units and space around 8-12 Arbory Street in association with the creation and modifications of Callow's Yard, a shopping complex using refurbished and new fabric. The complex has two formal entrances, one each on Arbory and Malew Streets and a number of the units also provide access from the rear of the unit into the open area between the streets.
8, Arbory Street abuts a link which adjoins the rear of 9 and 11, Malew Street. In the approved scheme this unit provides an entrance to the rest of the scheme and to 6, Arbory Street at ground and first floor levels.
The Proposal
Proposed now is the re-modelling of the frontage, providing access suitable for use by disabled persons and a more grand entrance but a relatively plain door and single side lights. The design has been amended in accordance with suggestions from the Conservation Officer.
Signage is also shown which is the subject of PA 10/01683.
Representations
Highways and Traffic Division indicate that they have no objection to the application Residents of Maughold indicate that they consider the proposed development to be an improvement and will make it easier to find a way into the complex.
Castletown Commissioners recommend that the application is permitted.
Assessment
The property is in a Conservation Area and as such proposals should preserve or enhance the property and the Area in general. The proposal will enable the facility to be accessed by those in wheelchairs and provide a link between the Arbory Street and Malew Street sections, under cover which is to be encouraged. The proposal will create a formal entrance which is easy to see within the streetscene - there has been some observations that it is difficult to see quite where to enter Callow's Yard, particularly within Arbory Street and this proposal will address this.
Party Status
The local authority is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status.
The Department of Transport Highways and Traffic 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 residents of Maughold are not directly affected by the development and should not be afforded party status in this case.
Recommendation
Recommended Decision: Permitted
Date of Recommendation: 16.12.2010
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 permission relates to the alterations to the existing access as shown in drawings 01, 02 and 03 all received on 5th November, 2010 and 04A, received on 24th November, 2010.
I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to the Senior Planning Officer.
Decision Made : Permitted Date : 20112110
Signed : Senior Planning Officer
