14 December 2020 · Planning Committee
Red Cross Society, Isle Of Man Business Park, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 2qz
The proposal seeks approval for changing a two-storey detached office building in an industrial business park to a Salvation Army headquarters, incorporating administration, pastoral work, debt advice, meetings, community activities like lunch club, parent and toddler group, and seasonal toy distribution.
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 noted a mix of interlinked uses on the site and the unique operational requirements of the Salvation Army, which may make finding an alternative site difficult.
Employment Proposal 1
Allocates site for industrial uses only: manufacturing, warehousing/distribution, office (per Strategic Plan Business Policy 7), or retail (per Business Policy 5). Proposal is a departure as sui generis Salvation Army HQ with community elements attracts day-to-day public callers, contrary to business park premise of no such operations. Officer assessed as acceptable in totality due to special circumstances, site history, and no industrial loss.
Strategic Policy 10
Requires development to minimise journeys by private car and make best use of public transport. Assessed favourably due to bus stop on site, nearby routes, shared bike/pedestrian path, adequate parking, and condition for bicycle parking.
Business Policy 7
Directs office floorspace to town centres except Corporate Headquarters without day-to-day callers on Business Parks. Office element potentially compliant as HQ, but community facilities introduce callers; mitigated by conditions limiting frequency and personal circumstances.
Community Policy 2
Directs community facilities to accessible non-car sites. Location in business park not ideal for non-car users, but acceptable given operational needs, transport links, and controlled activities.
Transport Policy 7
Sets parking standards. Existing 23 spaces (3 disabled) adequate per submitted survey; bicycle parking conditioned.
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 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Approved plans
The use hereby approved shall only be in accordance with the Floor Plans date stamped as having been received 14.10.20. Reason: The development hereby approved is only acceptable in this location because of the special circumstances of the proposal.
Bicycle parking
The development hereby approved shall not be used unless provision is in place for bicycle parking for at least 8 bicycles in accordance with details which have first been approved in writing by the Department. Reason: to ensure adequate provision is made for bicycle parking.
Frequency of community uses
The proposed uses as Lunch Club, CAMEO, Parent and Toddler Group and Messy Church shall only take place once a week as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the Supporting Statement date stamped received 14 October 2020. Reason: The uses are not considered to strictly accord with the land use designation and are only considered acceptable on the terms proposed in the application and as part of the overall Salvation Army HQ as an exceptional use.
No Objection
No opposition subject to a condition for the provision of bicycle parking. Anticipate car travel unlikely to be significant issue due to managed groups, existing 23 spaces, bus routes, and active travel infrastructure.
Highway Services raised no opposition subject to a condition for bicycle parking provision, while Braddan Parish Commissioners had no objection to the application.
Department of Infrastructure Highway Services
Conditional No ObjectionAs the proposal raises no significant highway safety issues, Highway Services raise no opposition subject to a condition for the provision of bicycle parking.; Recommendation: DNOC.
Conditions requested: provision of bicycle parking
Braddan Parish Commissioners
No Objectionthey had no objection to the following planning applications:- PA20/01217/C - Salvation Army - Change of use from office to Salvation Army headquarters
