Officer Report

Application No.: 17/00296/B Applicant: Mrs Nelly Christian Proposal: Alterations and blocking up of a front doorway to apartment Site Address: 38 Murrays Road Douglas Isle of Man IM2 3HW Case Officer : Miss Abigail Morgan Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer’s Report

1.0 SITE - 1.1 The site represents the existing residential curtilage of 38 Murrays Road, Douglas, located on a corner plot with Murrays Road to the northeast of the site. The property is a three storey end terraced property with a brown pebble dash finish to the rear, cream smooth render to the front and slate roof tiles. - 1.2 The authorised use of the property is a Housing Multiple Occupation with a ground floor flat.

2.0 PLANNING POLICIES - 2.1 In terms of local plan policy, the application site is within an area recognised as being within predominantly residential use under the Douglas Local Plan. The site is not within a Conservation Area. - 2.2 Due to the zoning of the site and the proposed works the following policies are relevant in the determination of the application:- - 2.3 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:

• (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;

3.0 PLANNING HISTORY - 3.1 There are a number of previous planning applications associated with this property; the most recent is considered relevant; 17/00201/B - Removal of a chimney - APPROVED 16/01136/B - Replacement of rear extension - APPROVED 16/01290/B - Removal of Rear Window - APPROVED

• 16/01348/LAW - Use of 38 Murrays Road, Douglas as a House in Multiple Occupation of not more than 12 households and 16 persons with shared facilities, and a self-contained flat on the ground floor - APPROVED
• 3.2 The top 3 applications relate to the refurbishment of the property relating to its use as a House in Multiple Occupation.

4.0 PROPOSAL - 4.1 The application seeks approval for the blocking up of an existing door on the front elevation which accesses the ground floor flat. - 4.2 The blocking is proposed to be bricks and render painted grey to match the existing.

5.0 REPRESENTATIONS - 5.1 Highway Services - no highways implications - 07.04.2017. - 5.2 Douglas Borough Council - no objection - 28.03.2017.

6.0 ASSESSMENT - 6.1 The main issues relate to the visual impact upon the street scene and the host dwelling and living conditions of the occupants of the flat, relating specifically to access to the flat. - 6.2 While the proposal would be visible from the Murrays Road it is not considered that the loss of the door would adversely affect the external appearance of the building, provided that the materials used to block it up match the existing. The applicant has confirmed that they will be painting it grey to match the existing. Accordingly, it is considered the proposal would comply with General Policy 2 (b), (c) and (g).

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 as modified by the Transfer of Planning and Building Control Functions Order 2015, 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;
• (d) The Highways Division of the Department; 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: 04.05.2017 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.

• C 2. All working of making good on the external facing materials shall be finished to match exactly the existing building fabric in respect of type, colour, jointing, profile and texture. Reason: In the interests of the character and appearance of the site and surrounding area.

This approval relates to Location Plan, Site Plan, Photographs and Floor Plans all date stamped received 14 March 2017.

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: 05.05.2017 Determining officer

Signed : C BALMER Chris Balmer Senior Planning Officer

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