Officer Report

Application No.: 16/01220/D Applicant: Bridge Bookshop Ltd Proposal: Installation of non illuminated signage. Site Address: 62 Parliament Street Ramsey Isle of Man IM8 1AJ Case Officer : Mr Jason Singleton Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer’s Report APPLICATION SITE

1.1 The application site is the curtilage of 62 Parliament Street a three storey mid terraced building situated on the northern side of Parliament Street in Ramsey, which is within the centre of Ramsey Town Centre. The building has an existing signage area above the window that extends the full width (4.5m) of the property. - 1.2 The surrounding area is characterised by predominantly retail units with a mix of shop fronts and signage boards and a number of shops having projecting and illuminated sign boards. THE PROPOSAL

2.1 This current planning application seeks approval for the erection of NON-illuminated advertising signage on the front elevation of the building above the entrance door and shop front window. The application relates to a new tenant of the unit, as such they are keeping the existing shop front and changing the name above the entrance doors. - 2.2 The proposed central sign mounted on the front façade would display the wording BRIDGE BOOKSHOP in capitals with Ramsey in much smaller letters in the centre of the sign, all wording in Georgia type font. The lettering would be a black colour and painted onto the white wooden background. This sign is approximately 4.5m in length by 0.9m high.

PLANNING HISTORY

3.1 A previous planning application has been received 16/00397/B for the Conversion of premises from retail to a takeaway including the installation of an extractor flue to rear elevation. This application is still pending consideration. DEVELOPMENT PLAN POLICIES - 4.1 In terms of local plan policy, the application site is within an area designated as an area of 'Mixed Use - Town Centre' under the Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Ramsey Local Plan) (No. 2) Order 1998, hereafter referred to as the Ramsey Local Plan. The site is not within a Conservation Area.

4.2 In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 contains three policies that are considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application; - 4.3 General Policy 2 states:

16/01220/D Page 1 of 4

"Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development:

• (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief;
• (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them;
• (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality;

4.4 General Policy 6 states: "Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements will be permitted on the site or building to which they relate provided they:

• (a) are of a high standard of design and materials and relate well to the building and site on which they are to be displayed;
• (b) are in keeping with and do not detract from the surrounding area; and
• (c) are located so as not to cause a highway safety hazard."

4.5 General Policy 7 states: "Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements on sites or buildings other than those to which they relate will not generally be permitted." REPRESENTATIONS

5.1 Highway Services have no objection to the application. (22/11/16) ASSESSMENT - 6.1 The main issues to consider in the assessment of this planning application are the impact of the proposed signage on the character of the area, the existing building and the street scene.

6.2 It is considered that the proposed signage would complement the proposed modern appearance of the façade. The proposed signage is not considered to cause a detrimental impact on public or private amenity. For the reasons mentioned above, the proposed signage is considered to be of a high standard of design and materials and relate well to the building and site on which they are to be displayed and are in keeping with and do not detract from the surrounding area RECOMMENDATION - 7.1 Overall, it is concluded that the planning application is in accordance with General Policy 2, 6 and 7 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016. INTERESTED PERSON STATUS - 8.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2013, the following persons are automatically interested persons:

• (a) The applicant, or if there is one, the applicant's agent;
• (b) The owner and the occupier of any land that is the subject of the application or any other person in whose interest the land becomes vested;
• (c) Persons to whom notice has been given under regulation 10(3)(a)(i)
• (d) Any Government Department that has made written submissions relating to planning considerations with respect to the application that the Department considers material;
• (e) The Highways Division of the Department;
• (f) The Ports Division of the Department;
• (g) The operator of the railway or tramway; and
• (h) The local authority in whose district the land the subject of the application is situated.

Recommendation

16/01220/D Page 2 of 4

Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 28.11.2016 Conditions and Notes for Approval: C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions C 1. The advertisement(s) hereby granted consent shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice. Reason: To avoid the accumulation of unimplemented advertisement consents. This approval relates to the Proposed Photo Montage and site location plan submitted on the 28th October 2016.

I can confirm that this decision has been made by a Senior Planning Officer in accordance with the authority afforded to that Officer by the appropriate DEFA Delegation.

Decision Made : Permitted Date: 30.11.2016 Determining officer

Signed : S CORLETT Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer

Customer note

This copy of the officer report reflects the content of the file copy and has been produced in this form for the benefit of our online services/customers and archive records.

16/01220/D Page 3 of 4

16/01220/D Page 4 of 4