Officer Report

Application No.: 16/00885/D Applicant: Miss Sonia Hmar Proposal: Installation of non-illuminated signage Site Address: 58 Strand Street Douglas Isle of Man Case Officer : Mr Jason Singleton Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer’s Report APPLICATION SITE

1.1 The application site is the ground floor of 58 Strand Street. It is a shop which fronts onto Strand Street in Douglas town centre. The building has vehicular access to the rear service lane. - 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 doors. 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 above the entrance doors is the wording WHISTLES made from 5mm thick, 300mm high white Acrylic individual letters mounted forward of the buildings by 20-25mm. This sign is approximately 2.5m in length by 0.500m high. PLANNING HISTORY

3.1 There have been a number of applications over the years reflecting a change of use and associated signage. More recently PA 16/00844/C, sought for; Change of use of premises from food and drink to retail, which was approved. DEVELOPMENT PLAN POLICIES - 4.1 In terms of local plan policy, the application site is classed as predominantly shopping use in the Douglas Local Plan 1998

4.2 In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 contains three policies that are considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application; General Policy 2 states:

"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;

4.3 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."

4.4 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 Douglas Corporation does not object to the proposal. 31.08.16.

5.2 DOI Highways Division does not oppose this application. 18.08.16. 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 2007. 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 Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 15.09.2016 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 submitted on 28th July 2016 referenced 1619-FE--100 and 1619FE--200-A.

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: 23.09.2016 Determining officer

Signed : S CORLETT Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer

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