Officer Planning Report Recommendation
Application No.: 08/00474/B Applicant: Port St Mary Methodist Church Proposal: Alterations and creation of a ramp for disabled access Site Address: Mount Tabor Methodist Church High Street Port St. Mary Isle Of Man IM9 5DW ### Considerations Case Officer : Miss S E Corlett Expected Decision Level: Delegated Decision Senior DC Officer ### Written Representations ### Consultations Consultee : Highways Division Notes: Do not oppose Consultee : Port St Mary Commissioners Notes: No objection
Officer's Report
The Site
The site represents the curtilage of Mount Tabor Methodist Church which is situated on the corner of Loch Road and Queen's Road. The site accommodates the church building and grassed area around it. There is a vehicular access and a pedestrian access from Queens Road, both formed by openings in the existing roadside stone walling with railings atop.
Planning Status
The site lies within an area designated on the draft Port St. Mary Area Plan as "Worship" and on the Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Development Plan) Order 1982 as "Predominantly Shopping".
Planning History
There have been no planning applications submitted in respect of this site.
The Proposal
Proposed now is the closing off of the existing pedestrian access and its replacement by a new pedestrian access close to the vehicular access together with the provision of a ramped access up to the main church doors, suitable for use by disabled persons. The ground around the double doors will be raised (necessitating the closing off of the existing pedestrian access which leads straight from the pavement to these doors) so that the existing steps are removed and new steps required down to the land to the rear of the church. Also proposed are internal alterations to the toilet to enable use by disabled persons.
Representations
Department of Transport Highways and Traffic Division and Port St. Mary Commissioners indicate that they have no objection to the application.
Assessment
It is important that provision is made for access to civic facilities such as churches, for disabled persons and in this case, such provision will not result in any adverse visual or other impact. The existing pedestrian access is to be moved but with no significant impact.
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.
Recommendation
Recommended Decision: Permitted
Date of Recommendation: 21.04.2008
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
C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
C 2. This permission relates to the alterations and creation of disabled persons' access all as shown in drawings 4198-LP, -SP and -1 all received on 10th March, 2008.
I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular No 31/07 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer)
Decision Made : Permitted Date : Signed : Mrs F Mullen Senior Planning Officer
