6 March 2020 · Planning Committee
Bank, Station Road, Ballasalla, Isle Of Man, IM9 2dd
The proposal involves converting an unused bank building in Ballasalla, a service village, into 'The Cub House', a soft play centre for children aged 0-6, including sensory rooms for special needs children.
Click a button above to find applications similar to this one.
See how this application compares to similar ones — policies, conditions, and outcomes side by side.
The officer recommended approval despite the residential zoning because the proposal makes 'best use of an existing under used building within a service centre that can be easily accessed on foot or b…
Strategic Policy 1
Requires optimising use of previously developed land and redundant buildings, efficient site use, and location utilising existing infrastructure. Officer assessed the vacant ex-bank as underused, approving reuse in accessible service village without needing new infrastructure.
Strategic Policy 2 - Priority for new development to identified towns and villages
Directs new development to existing towns/villages. Ballasalla as service village supported locating community-like facility here rather than countryside.
Strategic Policy 10
Promotes integrated transport minimising car journeys, using public transport, and avoiding highway harm. Site's bus/rail access and travel plan condition satisfied this despite parking shortfall.
General Policy 2
Permits development respecting site/surroundings, amenity, highway safety, and parking. No external changes, contained activities, and conditions met (b),(c),(g),(h),(i),(m); residential zoning tension resolved by community benefit.
Business Policy 1
Encourages employment growth if according with policies. Small-scale facility with 2-3 staff supported local jobs.
Community Policy 2
New facilities should serve local population, be accessible to non-car users, and reuse vacant buildings. First SEN sensory rooms on island in central location met this.
Community Policy 3
Permits loss of community facilities if no longer practical. Bank not strictly protected but vacant since 2015; replacement with child/SEN facility deemed positive community contribution.
Transport Policy 7
Requires parking per standards (1 per 15sqm for assembly/leisure = ~9 spaces needed for 132sqm). 5 spaces provided, shortfall accepted via conditions and off-site staff parking.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. Reason: To comply with article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Travel plan
Prior to occupation of the site for the use hereby approved the applicant shall provide in writing to the Department a travel plan that needs to provide details of how travel to the site for customers and staff will be managed with details of off site staff car parking provision. The travel plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department prior to the coming into use of the building and shall be implemented in accordance with the details stated within the approved Travel Plan. Reason: to minimise on street car parking that could be detrimental to the operation of the highway and to encourage sustainable transport in accordance with the active travel strategy.
Customer parking only
The forecourt to the front of the building shall be for customer parking only, and shall be maintained free of obstruction for such use at all times when open for business. Reason: to minimise on-street car parking that could be detrimental to the operation of the highway.
Operating hours
No customers shall be served or remain in the building outside the following hours: Monday - Saturday 0900 to 1730 hours Sunday 1000 to 1600 hours. Reason: In the interests of public amenity.
no objection
Do not oppose subject to condition
Highway Services Division provided a conditional no objection due to car parking management concerns, recommending specific conditions and a Travel Plan. Malew Parish Commissioners stated no objection.
Key concern: on site car parking may not be sufficient for staff and users
Highway Services Division
Conditional No ObjectionThe key highway issue relates to on site car parking.; Recommendation: DNOC
Conditions requested: The onsite car parking shall be used only for customers for the duration of the use of the site for this purpose.; Prior to occupation of the site for the proposed purpose the applicant shall provide a Travel Plan that needs to provide details of how travel to the site for customers and staff will be managed with details of offsite staff car parking provision.
Malew Parish Commissioners
No ObjectionMalew Parish Commissioners have no objection to the following Planning Applications.; 19/01328/C | Bank Station Road Change of use of former bank to Children's Soft and Sensory Play Centre
