14 May 2018 · Planning Committee
4, Victoria Place, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 4et
The site is a two-storey mid-terrace house in a residential cul-de-sac in Douglas, with existing unauthorised parking to the front. The proposal involved internal conversion to create three small one-bedroom apartments (42.6-53.3m² each), retaining two on-site parking spaces and adding bin storage to the front parking …
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The officer assessed the proposal against Housing Policy 17, finding the building suitable for single family occupancy like neighbouring properties, not warranting conversion due to its size and form;…
Housing Policy 17
Requires conversions to flats in residential areas to provide adequate space for drying, refuse, amenity, and parking where practical; pleasant clear outlook from principal rooms; and on-site parking or traffic strategy. Officer found building suitable for single dwelling, flats lacked pleasant outlook (overlooking lanes/garages), no refuse storage plan (three bins in parking area), over-intensification adding kerbside pressure.
General Policy 2
Permits development not adversely affecting landscape/townscape (c), amenity/character (g), providing satisfactory standards including parking/access (h), or road safety/traffic (i). Proposal harmed amenity/character via intensification and bins (g), failed parking/access standards and evidence on on-street impact (h/i), despite minimal visual change (c).
Transport Policy 7
Requires parking per Appendix 7 standards (1 space per 1-bed apartment). Two spaces provided for three units; no demonstration reduced parking avoids unacceptable on-street issues despite sustainable location; existing area substandard and conflicted with bins/access.
Do not oppose as provision of two car parking spaces is acceptable given low car ownership for one bedroom flats
Highways Division does not oppose the application despite increased parking demand, while Douglas Borough Council raises concerns over insufficient layouts, design information, and parking details, preventing a considered opinion.
Key concern: insufficient layouts, design information, and parking mitigation statements preventing considered opinion
Department of Infrastructure (DOI) Highways Division
No ObjectionHighway Services do not oppose this application.; The existing site parking demand is therefore 2 spaces and the proposed demand is 3 spaces which is an increase of 1 space. This is considered to be acceptable as levels of car ownership tend to be relatively low for the occupiers of 1 bedroom flats.
Douglas Borough Council
No CommentWe feel the application is somewhat scant in respect of layouts and design information.; We are concerned that parking has not been addressed by way of showing any onsite parking or submitting any statements mitigating for the need of onsite as required in policy documents.; Based upon this we find it impossible to reach any considered opinion in respect of this application.
The original application 18/00101/B to convert an existing dwelling at 4 Victoria Place, Douglas, into three self-contained one-bedroom apartments was refused. An appeal form was submitted by Miss Delia McGuire on behalf of Trevelyan Hotel Ltd, stating disagreement with the refusal reasons. The appeal was lodged after the 21-day deadline of 4th June 2018. A later request for leniency due to a family bereavement was made by agent Atelier Krüger Architecture Ltd on 22nd June 2018. The Department refused to accept the late appeal, stating no discretion exists under legislation to extend the timeframe. The decision became final.
Precedent Value
This confirms the Isle of Man planning appeal process has rigid 21-day deadlines with no exceptions for personal hardship. Future applicants must prioritise timely submission regardless of circumstances.
