APL Planning Statement
1785.11 APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF CONDITION 1 FOR PA 18/01142/B - A NEW SEMI-PERMANENT STRUCTURE at THE FORMER SWIMMING POOL SITE THE NUNNERY, OLD CASTLETOWN ROAD DOUGLAS for THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TECHNOLOGY (ICT Ltd)
BRIEF PLANNING STATEMENT
The Applicant, ICT Ltd seeks planning approval for the variation of Condition 1 of Planning Approval Notice for Application 18/01142/B and the Applicant requests planning approval for an extension period of a further three years beyond the current expiry date of the current approval period.
The purpose of the erection of the semi-permanent building was to determine the commercial sustainability of a new Multi-Purpose Building approved under Planning Application PA16/00865/B. By erecting a semi-permanent structure on the former swimming pool site where special functions can take place, the Applicant seeks to test the commercial viability of the regular events to determine if the events would sustain the permanent building designed and approved under PA 16/00865/B. Since receipt of the approval notice dated 15th April 2019, the Applicant has made every effort to have the building operational as soon as was practicable. However, the Applicant has experienced delays throughout the construction and erection period; and the subsequent period of operation and management of the new building has experienced significant disruption. The timeline with the highlighting of various delays to the project are as follows:
Timeline dates Activity and description 15th April to 6th May 2019 Planning Approval and 3-week Appeal Period May to July 2019 Order placed in the UK for new marquee building
structure and contractor sought for works August to September 2019 Foundations commenced and works undertaken
- October 2019 to May 2020 Construction period for marquee superstructure, but with significant delays caused by exceptionally adverse weather and first covid-19 lockdown in Spring/early Summer
June to September 2020 External works, internal finishes and fit-out undertaken
- October 2020 to December 2020 Inaugural event held on 9th October but further disruption to the operation of events due to the delay to obtaining a liquor licence due to objections from events competitors. Liquor licence eventually granted in December 2020.
January to March 2021 Disruption to the operation of the venue due to second Covid-19 Lockdown, resulting in the cancellation and rescheduling of events such as the Valentines Ball (scheduled to have taken place on the 13th of February) and Cheese and Wine Tasting (due to have taken place on the 12th of February), The Extraordinary Islanders Celebration Event ( due to have taken place on the 27th of February), The Apre’s Ski Party (due to have taken place on the 5th of March) and The Nunnery Gourmet Evening (due to have taken place on the 20th of March).
As can be seen from the timeline above it has not been possible to date, to have a sustained period of time where the economic sustainability of the events venue could be meaningfully tested. As the Covid-19 situation remains unclear in the island and UK for the foreseeable future, the Applicant believes that a further three years beyond the expiry of the current approval would be sufficient to give them time to test the sustainability of the venue.
The Applicant has demonstrated above they have suffered several delays with the erection of the building and significant disruption in the operation of the venue to date. Therefore, the Applicant respectfully requests that permission be given for the variation of Condition 1 and planning approval be granted for a three-year extension to the current approval period.
