1 November 2004 · Planning Committee (on review)
Mona House, 1, Mona Street, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 1bd
The proposal sought to convert Mona House, a residential building at the junction of Dale Street and Mona Street in Ramsey town centre, into a full day care nursery operating 8am-6pm Monday-Friday for a maximum of 32 children with 2-8 staff, including use of the small front garden as a play area with rubber matting and…
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The Planning Committee refused the application because the site's location adjacent to busy roads with no safe drop-off/pick-up areas would lead to increased illegal parking, detrimentally affecting h…
No adverse traffic impacts, subject to provision of car parking spaces referred to in letter dated 9 September
No objections; parishioners see benefit to Ramsey
Multiple responses including objections from Ramsey Commissioners and public on traffic and parking issues, conditional no objection from DoT Highways requiring car parking provision, no objection from Parish Priest, and various other comments; overall mixed with objections leading to refusal.
Key concern: location adjacent to busy road unsuitable for dropping off and picking up children with parking issues
IoMWA
Conditional No ObjectionFor a change in the supply to a premises (domestic or commercial) the applicant should contact the IoMWA Byelaws Inspector (Les Quayle), tel. 69 59 57
Conditions requested: a condition of planning be that the applicant must contact the Authority to ensure that a connection is obtained for water supply purposes, or an amendment to the existing supply under the terms of the Water Supply Byelaws
Ramsey Commissioners
ObjectionThe Commissioners consider that the location of the property and the lack of facilities which would be conducive with a day care nursery do not make this property suitable for its proposed use.
DoT Highways
Conditional No ObjectionNo adverse traffic impacts, subject to the imposition of the following conditions
Conditions requested: The proposed nursery shall not operate until the car parking spaces referred to in the later dated 9 September are provided to the satisfaction of the Planning Committee.
Social Services Division
No CommentWe would be grateful to receive information and subsequent outcomes regarding the above application.
Fr. Brian O Mahony (Parish Priest)
SupportI have no objections to the proposal.; a number of parishioners have expressed the opinion that the facilities offered would be of benefit to Ramsey.
Disability Access Office
Entrance should be accessible to an unassisted wheelchair user.
Conditions requested: Entrance should be accessible to an unassisted wheelchair user.; Where the building is over more than one level then a lift should be provided of sufficient dimensions as to allow an unassisted wheelchair user to enter, turn around and use the controls.; Facilities, including toilets should be available for disabled staff as well as for any disabled Children.
The original application for change of use of Mona House, 1 Mona Street, Ramsey to a full day care nursery for up to 32 children was refused by the Planning Committee on 29 October 2004 and confirmed on review on 7 January 2005, citing highway safety risks from illegal parking and unsuitable front garden play area adjacent to the highway. The appellant argued there was a demonstrated need for nursery places in Ramsey, comparable facilities exist with similar constraints, safety measures like special locks and rubber matting would be implemented, and no external changes to the building were proposed. The Planning Committee, Ramsey Town Commissioners, and third parties objected primarily on road safety, inadequate facilities, and potential disturbance. The inspector, following a public inquiry on 14 June 2005 and site visit, concluded the location would cause significant road safety harm due to likely illegal parking by parents and provide a poor environment for children with only a small front garden play area adjacent to a busy road. The appeal was recommended for dismissal.
Precedent Value
This appeal demonstrates that for child nurseries in urban/conservation areas, site-specific parking/drop-off facilities and safe, extensive external play away from highways are critical; good intentions and comparables do not overcome likely road safety harms from parental behaviour.
Inspector: David G Hollis
