Officer Report Site Assessment

The Application Site The Peveril Plot is a parcel of land which is located on a corner plot with the Mooragh Promenade to the east and the Old River Road to the west of the site, Ramsey. ## Planning Policy The application site is within an area recognised as being mixed use, more specifically residential and office use under the Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Ramsey Local Plan) (No. 2) Order 1998, hereafter referred to as the Ramsey Local Plan. The site is not within a Conservation Area. The Plan makes specific reference to the area in paragraph 3.7 C. Mooragh Promenade, which states that on the Peveril plot 'there could be included office use with on-site parking space and open space provisions'. ### 6.7 Recreation and Open Space Indoor sports facilities are principally those provided by schools, in addition to the swimming pool and squash courts. For outdoor pursuits, the Mooragh Park, and Promenade area, bowling Clubs and the Golf Course are established as the major assets. The Local Plan encourages the further provision of facilities depending on the requirements of the particular sports proposed together with factors such as proximity to residential areas, car parking and access. ## Proposal The application proposes the erection of a community swimming pool including ancillary facilities and parking. The proposed development will provide a 25 metre six lane swimming pool, a 12 metres learning pool, changing facilities, plant area and a cafe with facilities for a café terrace. Within the curtilage of the site the application would also provide a car parking provisions for 58 cars, three of which are disabled parking spaces, a pickup/drop off point which is off the main highway and a bus stop which would be located along the Old River Road. Within the development site the submission indicated a number of landscaping schemes both soft (vegetation) and hard (benches). The proposed building itself has a maximum length of 58 metres, a maximum width of 36 metres and a maximum height of 9.5 metres. ## Planning History Erection of a replacement swimming pool (06/01410/B) - Withdrawn ## Representations Ramsey Town Commissioners advise that they have no objection but make the following comments:- All drainage details are to be formally agreed with the Ramsey Town Commissioners. The Department of Transport Highways Division- Do not oppose subject to the imposition of the following (04.10.06):- A bus lay-by is created along Old River Road for the sue of public transport and school buses. The widening of the carriageway at the junction of Old River Road and Swing Bridge would assist in the flow of bus and heavy goods vehicle traffic. The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service:- Applicant to consult with Fire Safety Department with regard to all aspects of Fire Precautions to be contained within the proposal and access for fire appliances. The Disability Access Officer:- This pool should be built under the Part M Building Regulations. Accessible to everyone. Information on Access issue can be obtained from the Disability Access Office. Signage Information can be found at the Manx Blind Welfare. The Isle of Man Water Authority makes no comment on the merit of the proposed development but request that an informative note be attached to any approval decision notice. The Manx Electricity Authority makes no comment on the merit of the proposed development but request that an informative note be attached to any approval decision notice. The S.P.M.C. & E. makes the following comments:- How disappointing! The proposal seems to offer nothing superior to the present baths, not even a Jacuzzi! Why waste the money? No objection to the design though. The owners and/or occupants of Glendown, Grove Mount, Ramsey objects to the planning application, which can be summarised as concern regarding the ~~development fails~~ to respect this building line, would be an eyesore when viewed across the harbour and concerns about vehicular access via Bowring Road / North Shore Road. The owners and/or occupants of 4 Greenlands park, Ramsey, objects to the planning application which can be summarised as concern that the need for a new pool is unproven and the Peveril Plot is unsuitable for such a large development.