Planning Application Response

Email: [email protected] Officer: MB

Date of Response: 06/06/18

Date of Application: 18/05/18

Application Reference: 18/00475/C

Location: The Rule, Main Road, Sulby, IM7 2HR

Description: Change of use of storage area above garage to provide living accommodation (retrospective) and tourist living accommodation

Highway Comments: The new living/tourist accommodation above the garage is a self-contained unit with 2 bedrooms. The parking standards in 'The Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016' require 2 parking spaces for a dwelling. A total of 4 spaces are therefore needed on the site, 2 for the existing dwelling and 2 for the new living/tourist accommodation. The parking for each dwelling should be separate so the parking for one would not obstruct parking for the other, as the dwellings would operate independently when the new one is used for tourist purposes. The traffic and parking demand for the site should not be significantly different regardless of whether the accommodation is used for living or tourist use.

It appears from the plans submitted that the existing garage below the living/tourist accommodation is used for storage and not parking. The site plan does not show any parking on the site and the location plan (drawing no. 1288/2) does not show a large enough surrounding area for the precise location of the site to be identified on a google maps to establish if there is already sufficient site parking. A revised site plan is therefore needed to show if there is adequate on-site parking and turning space available for both dwellings.

There is in an existing access track to the site which is approximately 4.5m wide. This width would be just wide enough to allow 2 cars to pass each other, although it is noted that the track varies in width. Drawing no. 1288/2 refers to a proposed new access and right of way which is unclear as the plan appears to be a coloured plan that has been photocopied in black and white so the colours and key are not properly visible. The applicant therefore needs to submit amended scale plans, possibly a separate existing and proposed plan, to show the existing and proposed site access arrangements so the highway implications of the application can be properly assessed.

Highway Services request that the application is deferred to allow the applicant to consider the above.

Recommendation: DEFER

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF