Officer Planning Report and Recommendation
Considerations {{table:143733}} {{table:143731}} ### Written Representations ### Consultations {{table:143732}}
Officer's Report
The Site
The site represents a small rectangle of land situated on the boat park, alongside the lifeboat station at the southern end of Lime Street. The site is presently undeveloped.
Planning Status And Relevant Policies
The site lies within an area designated on the Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Development Plan) Order 1982 as white land outwith the designations of the village. On the draft Port St. Mary Area Plan the site lies within an area of Boat Park/Coach Park.
Planning History
PA 04/199 proposed the installation of a fuel tank and dispensing unit - permitted and to which there was one local objection on the basis of the visual impact of the tank (suggesting that it should be under-grounded).
The Proposal
Proposed now is the installation of a portacabin on the site for the purpose of storage of equipment belonging to the Southern Diving Lodge. The portacabin is a similar size to the existing permanent structure alongside, which is a flat-roofed masonry building. The portacabin is a simple structure with white painted external walls and a flat roof.
Assessment
The area is characterised by parked vehicles - boats and cars and the lifeboat station and the public conveniences alongside. Whilst none of these is of particular architectural merit, they are nevertheless, permanent buildings. The proposed portacabin is not and will be in so prominent a position as to be easily visible by the passing public and being a temporary building of relatively poor appearance, I would recommend that this would be harmful to the setting of the harbour and should not be permitted even for a temporary period.
Party Status
The Department of Transport and the local authority are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (c) and (d), considered "interested persons" and as such should be afforded party status, despite the latter not having submitted views in this instance.
Whilst Manx Electricity Authority represents a statutory authority, the points raised in correspondence relate to working practices and not planning matters and as such should not be afforded party status in this instance.
Recommendation
Recommended Decision: Refused
Date of Recommendation: 20.09.2006
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
R 1.
The proposed siting of a portacabin on what is a prominent site would be detrimental to the setting and appearance of the harbourside and its environs.
Note: this refusal is without prejudice to a proposal for a permanent or more attractive structure which contributes positively to the streetscene.
I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular Nos 44/05 (Delegation of Functions to Director of Planning and Building Control) and 47/05 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer)
Decision Made : Refused Date: 29/9/06 Signed: [Handwritten signature] M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control
