Officer Planning Report Recommendation

Planning Report And Recommendations {{table:11110}} ### Considerations {{table:11108}} ### Written Representations None received at time of drafting report ### Consultations {{table:11109}}

Officer's Report

1. This application seeks permission for the change of use of an existing bookshop to a tattoo studio. The site is within an area has a number of different uses within it including a convenience shop, furniture shop, locksmiths and hairdressers.

The Site

1. The application site is 6 Windsor Road, an end terrace property situated on the corner of Windsor Road and Richmond Grove. This application relates specifically to the ground floor of the building which is a vacant retail unit.

The Proposal

1. This application seeks approval for the change of use of the ground floor retail unit to a tattoo studio. The applicant sets out that they intend to run the business from 9am until 5pm Wednesday through to Saturday (inclusive). Tattoo parlours are not identified by the Use Classes and as accordingly the use is sui generis or a use in its own category.

Planning Status

1. The application site is located within an area identified as being Predominantly Residential by the Douglas Local Plan. The site is within a Conservation Area.

PLANNING HISTORY

1. The following previous planning applications are considered relevant to the determination of this proposal:

00/00218/C sought approval for the change of use of retail unit to sun bed centre. This was permitted.

REPRESENTATIONS

1. Douglas Corporation does not object to this application.

ASSESSMENT

1. The key issues to be assessed in the determination of this application are the principle of the proposed use operating within this area of Douglas and any associated impacts that may arise from the use.

Principle of the proposed use

1. The area within which the site is located is designated as being predominantly residential. However, this section of Windsor Road is characterised by a mixture of retail uses including a convenience shop, furniture shop, hairdressers, and locksmiths shop. These generally operate from the ground floor of the buildings in the street. The site is relatively close to the retail area of Bucks Road known as 'The Terrace'. It is judged that the proposed use would not have a detrimental impact upon the character of the area.

Impacts of the proposed use

1. The existing building has a vacant retail unit at ground floor level. The use as a shop would result in similar impacts as the proposed use however, depending on the type of retailing it is quite possible that the existing use could attract significantly greater numbers of customers than a tattoo studio. The proposed opening times of 9am to 5pm would fit in with the working day and Windsor Road is a busy town centre thoroughfare. It is judged that the proposed use would not undermine public or private amenity to an extent which would justify refusal.

RECOMMENDATION

Permit.

PARTY STATUS

It is considered that the following parties, who submitted comments, accord with the requirements of Planning Circular 1/06 and are therefore, afforded Interested Party Status:

Douglas Corporation

Accordingly the following parties are not granted Interested Party Status:

The Highways Division and the Planning Authority are both part of the Department of Infrastructure. As such, the Highways Division cannot be afforded Interested Party Status.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 22.09.2011

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

C 1. The use must be taken up within four years of the date of this notice in order for this approval to remain valid after that time.

C 2. This approval relates to the change of use from bookshop to a tattoo studio, 6 Windsor Road, Douglas as shown by Location Plan and Floor Plan received 8th August 2011.

I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control / Development Control Manager.

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 26/9/11

Signed: [Handwritten signature] Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control Delete as appropriate

Signed: [Handwritten signature] Jennifer Chance Development Control Manager