Officer Report

Application No.: 16/01207/D Applicant: CR(IOM) LTD Proposal: Installation of signage illuminted by existing lighting (in connection with Registered Building Application 16/01208/CON). Site Address: Old Town Hall (Formerly Manannan House) Market Square Castletown Isle Of Man Case Officer : Miss S E Corlett Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer’s Report THE SITE

1.1 The site is the footprint of Manannan House, an end of terrace building situated in the heart of Castletown, at the northern end of The Parade. The building is a handsome and important three storey building which has a render finish at the ground floor and exposed stone walling at first and second floors. Presently, the property has a sign, Manannan House above the door and "Market Square" street sign to the right of the frontage at ground floor level. There is a down pipe running dorn the right hand side of the building, painted to match the colour of render at ground floor level. The property has plastic framed casement windows throughout the front elevation with render badns around them. THE PROPOSAL - 2.1 Proposed is the introduction of signage on the front elevation: COFFEE REPUBLIC will be to the left of the central front door, OLD TOWN HALL above the front door and BodyCraft Fitness to the right, all above window head level.

2.2 All lettering will be individual letters attached to the facade in different fonts and sizes and illuminated by existing strip lighting on the building above the lettering. - 2.3 The Coffee Republic sign will be built up non-illuminated capital letters with a height of 250mm flat faced and 3mm opal acrylic text with black acrylic detail bonded to the face using foam tape on 0.9mm descaled black trays to suit powder coated white gloss inside only. The roudel sign will be non-illuminated 600mm diameter made of aluminium with aluminium flat cut lettering. - 2.4 The Old Town Hall sign will be built up non illuminated letters in descaled stainless steel painted black. - 2.5 Bodycraft signage will be built up non-illuminated letters 250mm by 580mm overall height and length in descaled stainless steel painted black.

PLANNING POLICY

3.1 The site lies within an area designated on the Area Plan for the South as Mixed use. The site also lies within the town's Conservation Area and the building is Registered (RB 17).

3.2 As such, the following Strategic Plan policies are applicable:

Strategic Policy 4; "Proposals for development must: a) protect or enhance the fabric and setting of Ancient Monuments, Registered Buildings (1), Conservation Areas (2), buildings and structures within National heritage Areas and sites of archaeological interest; b) protect or enhance the landscape quality and nature conservation value or urban as well as rural areas but especially in respect to development adjacent to Areas of Special Scientific Interest and other designations; and c) not cause or lead to unacceptable environmental pollution or disturbance".

General Policy 6.: "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 material 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 to not cause a highway safety hazard".

Environment Policy 32 states: "Extensions or alterations to a Registered Building which would affect detrimentally its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest will not be permitted".

Environment Policy 35 states "Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character of appearance of the area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development".

Environment Policy 37: "As a general policy, advertisements within Conservation Areas will be permitted if:

• i) the proposal preserves or enhances the Conservation Area;
• ii) the signage is in a style appropriate to the character of the area;
• iii) traditional materials and finishes are used and glossy and highly reflective materials are excluded from proposals; and
• iv) internally illuminated box fascia and projecting box signs are excluded from the proposals".

REPRESENTATIONS

4.1 Castletown Commissioners indicate that they have no objection to the application (14.11.16).

4.2 Highway Services indicate that there is no highway interest in the application (22.11.16). PLANNING HISTORY - 5.1 Planning approval was granted for the use of the building as a cafe and gym under PA 16/00420/CON and 16/00419/GB. ASSESSMENT - 6.1 The signage is modest and interesting although not striking and does not compete with the interest of the building to which it is attached. The lack of internal illumination helps the impact and the signage is considered to be appropriate for this Registered Building and Conservation Area. PARTY STATUS - 7.1 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 of Infrastructure;
• (f) The Ports Division of the Department of Infrastructure;
• (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 Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 29.11.2016 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 drawings 4471/L1, 4474/S1, 4474/ADV1A, 4474/ADV2A all received on 21st 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: 02.12.2016 Determining officer

Signed : C BALMER Chris Balmer Senior Planning Officer

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