26 August 2021 · Planning Committee
9, Parliament Street, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 1af
The proposal involves changing the use of offices within a traditional Georgian registered building to two residential apartments (Class 3.4), with demolition of an existing rear extension and erection of a new single-storey kitchen/utility extension with balcony above, plus alterations for a basement fire exit.
Click a button above to find applications similar to this one.
See how this application compares to similar ones — policies, conditions, and outcomes side by side.
The proposal was approved because it assists in keeping the Registered Building viable without material external alterations visible from the streetscene, complying with relevant Strategic Policies.
Registered Buildings - Ramsey Local Plan Written Statement (Planning Circular 2/99)
Requires retention of Registered Buildings; non-conforming uses favourably considered if no material external/internal alterations. Officer assessed rear works do not affect streetscene view, making change of use to residential acceptable despite town centre zoning.
General presumption of ground floor office use in Auckland Terrace
Presumption in favour of ground floor office use in Auckland Terrace. Officer acknowledged conflict but prioritised R/E/P5 for registered building viability, noting no commercial demand.
Environment Policy 32
Prohibits extensions/alterations detrimentally affecting Registered Building character. Assessed rear extension and internal changes (via linked CON application) as non-detrimental, reversible, and not visible from street.
General Policy 2
Requires development to respect site/surroundings in siting, scale, design; no adverse amenity, highway, or character impacts. Proposal complies as town centre location, rear works only, adequate amenity, and conditioned highway/flood mitigations.
Environment Policy 10
Requires flood risk assessment and mitigation where risk exists. FRA provided with detailed measures assessed as suitable despite high-risk zone.
Environment Policy 13
Prohibits development with unacceptable flood risk. Mitigations (barriers, sump/pump etc.) deemed sufficient to overcome objection.
Strategic Policy 2 - Priority for new development to identified towns and villages
Directs development to towns like Ramsey. Site in town centre service centre supports residential conversion.
Strategic Policy 10
Promotes integrated transport minimising car use. Town centre location near public transport; bicycle storage conditioned.
Time limit
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 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Bicycle storage
Prior to commencement details of the proposed secure and covered bicycling storage must be provided to and approved in writing by the Department, implemented in accordance with the approved details and retained thereafter. Reason: In the interest of sustainable travel.
Flood resistance measures
Prior to occupation the flood resistance measures, as shown in section 9.3 of the Flood Risk Assessment must be provided and easily available at all times and retained as such thereafter. Reason: In the interests of occupants' safety in the event of a flood.
no objection but requires bicycle parking as cycling is convenient; parking provision at one space per bedroom per LTN1/20 standards
no objection to proposals including glazed partitioning around staircase as reversible and protects special interest, subject to conditions for further details
Highways requested additional parking information without formal objection; Flood Risk Management objected due to high flood risk and inappropriate residential use; Ramsey Town Commissioners objected over parking and loss of office space; Registered Buildings Officer offered conditional no objection.
Key concern: High tidal flood risk with inappropriate basement residential accommodation
Department of Infrastructure Highways
Conditional No ObjectionHighway Services request further details on the parking provision and parking availability for the building, for both vehicles and bicycles.; Recommendation: Request additional information/revisions.
Conditions requested: Secure, covered, easily accessible bicycle parking facility (one space per bedroom per LTN1/20); Further details on parking provision and availability for vehicles and bicycles, previous office staff arrangements, and resident parking permits
Department of Infrastructure Flood Risk Management
ObjectionOppose; The flood resilient measures proposed are not sufficient justification to permit.; Residential accommodation is classed as more vulnerable land use in regards to flood risk. Sleeping accommodation in a basement is especially inappropriate.
Ramsey Town Commissioners
ObjectionNo Objection was submitted in error; the Board considered the applications to be inappropriate and lacking in parking provisions; Concerns were also raised about the loss of office space within the town
Registered Buildings Officer
Conditional No ObjectionI therefore do not object to the proposals as long as there are conditions in place to secure any further details we may require in order to protect the building's special interest.; the proposed glazed partitioning will by its nature be fully reversible and will still enable appreciation of the staircase
Conditions requested: Conditions to secure any further details required to protect the building's special interest
