Loading document...
Case Officer: Miss Laura Davy Photo Taken: Site Visit: Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation
1.1 The application site is the curtilage of Rushen Primary School, Port Erin which is situated to the eastern side of Church Road. The school building is fairly large, it has been extended quite substantially over the years. The site has a large area of playing fields to the rear and side of the building. The school building is sited very close to the highway.
2.1 The application seeks approval for the siting of a portable classroom unit. The unit would measure approximately 133sqm and would be sited and would be sited to the eastern side of the school building. The building is a pre-fabricated mobile structure. The building would provide a nursery unit. Also proposed is the erection of a mobile play equipment store, this would be sited adjacent to the boundary.
3.1 The following previous planning applications are considered to be specifically material in the assessment of the current application:
PA 88/00525/B Siting of mobile classroom - approved PA 90/00354/B Siting of mobile classroom - approved PA 90/01940/B Siting of 2 classroom units - approved PA 91/04204/B Siting and relocation of mobile classrooms - approved
4.1 The application site is within an area zoned as "Primary School" identified on The Area Plan for the South 2013. Given the nature of the application it is appropriate to consider General Policy 2 and Community Policy 5 of The Isle of Man Strategic Plan (20th June 2007). It is also appropriate to consider Community Facility Proposal 3 of The Area Plan for the South 2013.
| Application No.: | 14/00582/B |
| Applicant: | Department Of Education & Children |
| Proposal: | Relocation of nursery classroom unit |
| Site Address: | Rushen Primary School |
| Church Road | |
| Port St. Mary | |
| Isle Of Man | |
| IM9 5LW |
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:
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; g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality.
Permission will generally be given for proposals to improve or extend existing schools and institutions of higher education and to build new schools, subject to their being sited and designed in accordance with the other policies of this plan, having particular regard to the potential for community use of the buildings and the associated Open Space.
It is proposed that the land adjacent to Rushen Primary School (Part of Field 414215) be designated for educational purposes to allow for the future needs of the school, and to provide opportunities for the provision of better community sporting facilities (See Site 24).
5.1 Port St Mary Commissioners do not object. 5.2 Highway Services of the Department of Infrastructure do not oppose.
6.1 The application seeks approval for the siting of a mobile classroom unit which would provide nursery accommodation which is currently provided within the main school building. The main issues to consider in the assessment of the application are the use of the site, the compatibility of the uses, the impact upon the character and appearance of the site and the impact upon the neighbouring properties. 6.2 The site currently accommodates Rushen Primary School and is zoned for such uses on The Area Plan for the South. There are currently nursery facilities on site which are accommodated within the main school building, this space is now required for older children between the ages of 4 and 11 years old. They still wish to provide nursery accommodation as they feel that it is a valuable facility within the community. They note that the only way of doing this is to provide it through way of a mobile classroom. 6.3 The use of the mobile unit would be in keeping with the existing use of the site and would provide a valuable community facility. It is considered that the use of the mobile unit is in accordance with the land use zoning and would be compatible with the adjacent uses. 6.4 Mobile classrooms are often used as a temporary solution to lack of space within a school building. Mobile classrooms are generally quite basic in appearance and have a very temporary appearance. Given that they are pre-fabricated they do not usually fit in with existing buildings in terms of the style and design. 6.5 Whilst the mobile classroom is not particularly attractive it would be sited to the rear of the existing school building. The unit would be visible from the public thoroughfare but would be read against the existing building. It is considered that the proposed unit would not significantly increase the mass of the building group and therefore is considered to be acceptable on a temporary basis. 6.6 The mobile store for play equipment is fairly modest, but again is temporary in nature and is basic in terms of its design. It would be sited adjacent to the school boundary and would
again be to the rear of the main building. It is considered that the store would not have an adverse impact upon the character and appearance of the site or area in general.
6.7 The proposed building would be of a sufficient distance from neighbouring properties and therefore would not have an adverse impact upon the amenities of neighbouring properties.
6.8 For the above reasons the application is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for approval.
7.1 The local authority, Rushen Commissioners and Port St Mary Commissioners are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No 2) Order 2013, paragraph 6 (4) (e), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded interested person status.
7.2 The Highway Services of the Department of Infrastructure is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No 2) Order 2013, paragraph 6 (4) (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded interested person status.
Recommended Decision: Permitted
Date of Recommendation: 17.06.2014
C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Reason: To comply with article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
The classroom may remain in place for a temporary period expiring on 30th June, 2018 after which time it must be removed from the site unless otherwise approved in writing by the Planning Authority.
NOTE: mobile classrooms such as this are considered by the Planning Authority to be a temporary measure to address unusual or new situations in the school. If the reason for the temporary accommodation becomes a permanent requirement then the school should consider ways to make permanent provision for this either by reorganisation or expansion of the school infrastructure.
This approval relates to Drawing Numbers P10-01, P10-02, P10-03 Rev A, PA10-04 and P12-01 date stamped 19th May 2014.
I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control /Head of Development Management/ Senior Planning Officer.
Decision Made : Permitted Date : 12/6/14
Signed : _________________________ Chris Balmer Senior Planning Officer
Signed : _________________________ Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control
Signed : _________________________ Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer
Signed : _________________________ Jennifer Chance Head of Development Management
Copyright in submitted documents remains with their authors. Request removal
View as Markdown