Officer Report

Application No.: 16/00197/B Applicant: Ms Leni Lewis Proposal: Conversion of basement, ground floor and part of first floor into a retail shop and isolation of second and third floor flats Site Address: 18 Parliament Street Ramsey Isle of Man IM8 1AP Case Officer : Miss Abigail Morgan Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer’s Report

1.0 THE SITE - 1.1 The application site represents the curtilage of 18 Parliament Street, Ramsey, which is a three storey terraced property, located on northern side of Parliament Street and northwest of the Court House Building.

2.0 THE PROPOSAL - 2.1 This application seeks approval for the change of use of basement, ground floor and part of first floor from an estate agent's into retail, with some internal works to isolate the existing second and third floor flats.

3.0 PLANNING HISTORY - 3.1 There are number of previous applications at this property;

• o Replacement windows and doors to front and rear - 16/00197/B - APPROVED
• o Alterations to create new front entrance and first floor apartment - 10/01332/B - APPROVED
• o Change of use of existing retail areas to ground and first floor to form estate agency and
• other office facilities - 05/01873/C - APPROVED
• o Alterations to shop and upstairs flat including the extension of shop to the first floor 01/01939/B - APPROVED
• o Installation of replacement windows and door to front elevation and windows to rear elevation - 01/01264/B - APPROVED
• o Erection of 2 projecting gallows signs - 87/00493/D - APPROVED
• o Erection of two illuminated signs - 86/01330/D - APPROVED
• o Installation of window blind with advertisement display - 86/01274/D - REFUSED
• o Internal alterations and installation of rear doorway - 86/00951/B - APPROVED
• o Approval in principle to erect building to form first floor private flat and ground floor garage and entrance - 86/00115/A - APPROVED

4.0 PLANNING STATUS - 4.1 The application site is within an area recognised as being an area of "mixed use", under the Ramsey Local Plan. The site is within Ramsey Conservation Area, but the existing building is not

Registered. The following policies are therefore considered relevant in the consideration of this application:

• o Ramsey local Plan 1998 - Planning Circular 2/99; and
• o The Isle of Man Strategic Plan (20th June 2007) - General Policy 2

4.2 Due to the zoning of the site the following policies are relevant for consideration:- "General Policy 2: 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:

• (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;

4.3 As the site is in Ramsey Conservation Area it is appropriate to consider Environment Policy 35 which 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. - 4.4 Business Policy 7 supports new retail provision in existing retail areas.

4.4 The Ramsey Local Plan - Planning Circular 2/99 - R/TC/P3 upper floors:"The use of upper floors as retail units, offices and apartments shall be encouraged particularly where premises are currently vacant." - 5.0 REPRESENTATIONS 5.1 DOI Highways do not oppose. 26.02.2016 5.2 Ramsey Commissioners have no objection to the proposal. 18.03.2016 - 6.0 ASSESSMENT

6.1 The application site is within an area of 'Mixed Use Town Centre' and Business Policy 7 and R/TC/P3 support use of upper floors as retail, it is therefore considered that the proposal would be acceptable in terms of the use of the site. - 6.2 There are no external changes proposes therefore it is considered the change of use will not affect the character or appearance of the property. - 6.3 As a result, it is concluded that the planning application accords with General Policy 2 (b), (c) or (g) and Business Policy 9 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007.

- 7.0 RECOMMENDATION

7.1 It is recommended that the application be approved. - 8.0 PARTY STATUS

8.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No 2) Order 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) Any Government Department that has made written submissions relating to planning considerations with respect to the application that the Department considers material , in this case, Department of Infrastructure Highway Services and (e) The local authority in whose district the land the subject of the application is situated.

With effect from 1 June 2015, the Transfer of Planning & Building Control Functions Order 2015 amends the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 to give effect to the meaning of the word 'Department' to be the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture unless otherwise directed by that Order.

Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 21.03.2016 Conditions and Notes for Approval: C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions C 1. 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 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.

This approval relates to Site and Location Plan and drawing nos 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004 and 1005 all date stamped as received 22 February 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: 23.03.2016 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.