Officer Report

Application No.: 17/01111/D Applicant: Ramsey Town Commissioners Proposal: Erection of a notice board Site Address: Old Court House Bourne Place Ramsey Isle of Man IM8 1AR Case Officer : Mr Chris Balmer Photo Taken: 22.11.2017 Site Visit: 22.11.2017 Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 21.11.2017 _________________________________________________________________

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. Plans/Drawings/Information: This approval relates to the submitted documents and drawing all received on 23rd October 2017. _______________________________________________________________ Interested Person Status – Additional Persons None _____________________________________________________________________________

Officer’s Report

1.0 THE SITE - 1.1 The application site is small section of land within Ramsey town centre, adjacent to Bourne Place and east of the former Ramsey Courthouse building.

- 2.0 THE PROPOSAL

2.1 The application seeks approval for the erection of a notice board which would have an overall height of 2.4m and a width of 1.2m. The board would be used by the Ramsey Town Commissioners to display local information.

3.0 PLANNING HISTORY - 3.1 There are no previous planning applications which are considered relevant in the assessment and determination of this application.

4.0 DEVELOPMENT PLAN POLICIES - 4.1 In terms of local plan policy, the application site is within a wider area of land that is designated as mixed use (town centre) under the Ramsey Local Plan Order 1998. The site is within a Conservation Area. There are no policies with Planning Circular 2/99, the written statement that accompanies the local plan, considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application. - 4.2 In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan contains a number of policies that are considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application: - 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." - 4.5 Environment Policy 37 states: "As a general policy, advertisements within Conservation Areas will be permitted only 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."

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

5.0 CONSULTATIONS - 5.1 Highway Services have no objection (received on 09.11.2017). - 5.2 The Ramsey Commissioners do not oppose (received on 20.11.2017).

6.0 ASSESSMENT - 6.1 The main issue to be considered in the assessment of this application is the impact of the proposed development upon the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. - 6.2 The Department has a duty to determine whether such proposals are in keeping with not only the individual building, but the special character and quality of the area as a whole. With this in mind it is very relevant to consider Environment Policy 35 of the Isle of Man

• Strategic Plan (adopted June 2016). This policy indicates that development within Conservation Areas will only be permitted if they would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development.
• 6.3 The proposes signage is simple in form and is coloured to match the Ramsey Commissioners branding (dark blue). The board would be used for purposes associated with the Commissioners responsibilities as the local authority. Generally such signage would be allowed under Permitted Development; however, given the site is within a Conservation Area.
• 6.4 Overall, it is considered its use/purposes is acceptable providing a useful public service to the residents of Ramsey. Furthermore, the design, size and finish of the signage board are appropriate and would preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation area and the visual amenities of the street scene.

7.0 CONCLUSION - 7.1 On the basis that the proposed development is considered to comply with the relevant policy of the Strategic Plan, a recommendation of approval is made.

8.0 INTERESTED PARTY 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. _____________________________________________________________________

I can confirm that this decision has been made by the Head of Development Management in accordance with the authority afforded to that Officer by the appropriate DEFA Delegation.

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 29.11.2017 Determining officer

Signed : S BUTLER Stephen Butler Head of Development Management

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