30 September 2020 · Planning Committee
24, Ridgeway Street, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 1el
The proposal sought to replace an existing fixed illuminated sign (2.8m wide x 1.8m deep) with a smaller digital screen displaying static scrolling advertisements, mounted 5.4m above ground on the eastern gable end facing Lord Street.
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 Planning Committee declined the officer's recommendation for approval and refused on a 4/3 split, specifically because 'Given the age, structure and design of the buildings it is considered that d…
General Policy 2
Requires development to respect site/surroundings in scale/form/design and not adversely affect townscape character or amenity. Officer found proposal compliant as neutral replacement on blank gable in commercial streetscene; Committee disagreed on conservation impact.
General Policy 6
Permits external advertisements in towns if high design standard, in keeping with area, no highway hazard. Officer deemed 'state-of-the-art' digital screen acceptable (a/b/c) as smaller replacement with controls; Committee refused on area character.
General Policy 7
Generally not permitting unrelated advertisements; officer accepted due to precedents, Minister overturn, and Regulation 5(3) conflict limiting content restrictions to amenity/safety, finding neutral impact.
Environment Policy 37
Permits advertisements in Conservation Areas only if preserving/enhancing area, appropriate style, traditional materials, no glossy/reflective or illuminated box signs. Officer found neutral on rear gable per precedents; Committee ruled digital images fail to fit historic buildings, harming area.
The position of the proposed advertisement is acceptable... do not object subject to conditions on moving images, transition, cycle time, fail safe, light sensor, and luminance levels.
Highway Services offered no objection subject to detailed conditions on the digital signboard's operation to ensure highway safety. Douglas Borough Council objected due to non-compliance with conservation area policies and potential light pollution impacts.
Key concern: Non-compliance with Isle Of Man Strategic Plan 2016 Environment Policy 37 for advertisements in Conservation Areas
Department of Infrastructure Highway Services
Conditional No ObjectionAccordingly, Highway Services do not oppose this proposal subject to conditions appertaining to the requirements set out above.; Recommendation: DNOC
Conditions requested: Moving Images: There shall be no moving images or special effects of any kind during the time that any message is displayed, including noise, smell, smoke, animation, flashing, scrolling, three-dimensional, intermittent or video elements.; Transition of Images: The interval between successive displays shall be instantaneous for the complete screen to change (0.1 seconds or less). There shall be no visual effects between successive displays, including swiping or other animated transition methods. Any fading shall take no more than 2 seconds. The display will include a mechanism to freeze the image in the event of a malfunction.; Cycle Time of Images: The display shall not change more than once every 10 seconds, the use of message sequencing for the same product is prohibited and the advertisements shall not include features or equipment which would allow interactive messages or advertisements to be displayed.; Fail Safe Mechanism: The screen display shall be erected with a mechanism installed in order that, if the installation breaks down, it defaults to a blank black screen in order to avoid any flashing error messages or pixilation.; Light Sensor: The screen display panel shall at all times be fitted with a light sensor to adjust the brightness to changes in ambient light levels.; Luminance Level: At no time shall the Luminance level of the signs exceed the thresholds contained within the Institute of Lighting Professionals (ILP) guidance document PLG05 - The Brightness of Illuminated Advertisements 2015 or any subsequent amendment/replacement to this guidance. Typically, set at 600 cd/m for daylight use and 300 cd/m for hours of darkness with a mechanism to prevent "dazzle" when a light poster replaces a dark one.
Douglas Borough Council
Objectionthe Council has resolved to raise an objection to the application on the following grounds; The location of the proposed digital signage is within a conservation area and as such it does not comply with many aspects of the above policy.
Douglas Borough Council
No CommentThe Council will be considering PA 20/00500/D at a meeting of its Environmental Services Committee on the 15th June after which we will provide you with any specific comments relating to this application.
The original application (20/00500/D) to install a digital signboard at Falcon House, replacing an existing fixed billboard, was refused by the Planning Committee against officer recommendation due to its incompatibility with the Conservation Area's character under Environment Policy 37. The appellant argued that the principle of a signboard was established by prior appeal consent in 2016, digital technology improves control over brightness and operation compared to the existing sign, and precedents exist elsewhere. The Inspector found the proposal would positively contribute to the Conservation Area's character and appearance by mitigating the stark existing sign's harm, with benefits from light sensors and switch-off conditions, and would not harm residential amenity or safety. The Minister accepted the Inspector's recommendation to allow the appeal and grant consent subject to detailed conditions controlling operation, brightness, and hours.
Precedent Value
This appeal demonstrates that digital signs can be approved in Conservation Areas by showing net benefits over harmful existing signage, even overriding strict 'traditional materials' policy via controls on brightness/hours. Applicants should prioritise evidence of amenity/safety improvements and prior site-specific consents.
Inspector: Michael Hurley BA DipTP
