Planning Statement Amendment

Barry Murphy MCIAT Chartered Architectural Technologist "The Studio", Glenmore, Belmont Hill, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 4NX Tel: (01624) 623843 E-mail: [email protected]

Planning Statement

Amendment to Planning Application No. 08/01839/B Erection of apartment building at 43-49 Tynwald Street Douglas IM1 1BQ

This is a brief planning statement to accompany a planning application for an amendment to Planning Application No. 08/01839/B.

The amendments to the application are primarily concentrated in the area of the main entrance on the north-west elevation facing Tynwald Street. A minor amendment to introduce column support to balconies is also proposed.

The land owner, applicant and the developer of the site has changed since the original approval as has the applicant's agent.

Whilst the format of the drawings attached to this applicant has changed the content in respect of apartment layout, levels, parking provision, vehicle access and general elevational appearance are unaltered from that approved in Planning Application No. 08/01839/B. Any legal agreements entered into as part of the approval will remain unchanged.

It is important to note that the building is currently being constructed in accordance with the drawings approved in Planning Application No. 08/01839/B. Construction work to areas which are subject to this amended application have been deferred pending approval.

The amendments to the approved plans are outlined as followings:

• The disabled access ramp arrangement has been altered so that it ramps from street level to undercroft level in lieu of the approved ramp which entered the building at the raised ground floor level.
• The bin storage area has been relocated from street level to undercroft level.
• The landscaping in and around the area of the main entrance has been altered as a result of the above 2 matters.
• The internal lift & stairs core layout has been amended.
• Column supports have been introduced to previously approved cantilevered balcony proposal.

Managing Director: B. Murphy. Director: Am Murphy Company Reg. No. 098010C

When preparing the building regulation application it became apparent that the disabled access ramp and lift / stairs core of the building could not be constructed so as to comply with the standards required by the building regulations. This office liaised with the Building Regulation Dept of Douglas Corporation but were unable to find a compromise solution. The result of these meetings which was that in order to comply with the building regulations, particularly in respect of access to the building and within the building there is no option but to amend the layouts previously approved by planning.

As part of the building regulation process we liaised with Douglas Corporation in respect of bin storage size and location. The option to locate the bins "out of sight" below the level of Tynwald Street was the preferred workable solution.

Attached to this statement is correspondence from Mr Nick Kaighin, Building Control Manager with Douglas Corporation confirming their position in respect of access and bin storage.

The approved planning drawings did not indicate support to the balconies implying that they were to be cantilevered. This method of construction is extremely difficult to structurally achieve. We believe that the introduction of slim column supports to these balconies has little impact on the external appearance of the building.

We trust the Planning Department will acknowledge the need for these amendments and see fit to approve the application. If the Department requires any further clarification of the proposals please do not hesitate to contact the agent.

Prepared By:

Barry Murphy; Construction Design Ltd. 11th July 2014.