CHIEF SECRETARY'S OFFICE

Oik yn Ard-S,rudeyr

Our Ref: DF12/0005 Planning Application Ref.No: 12/00295/B

THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1999

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING DEVELOPMENT (PROCEDURE ORDER) 2005

| Planning Secretary | | | --- | --- | | Department Of Infrastructure | | | Planning And Building Control | | | Murray House | | | Mount Havelock | | | Douglas | |

| Applicant: | Department Of Infrastructure | | --- | --- | | Proposal: | Erection of a single storey extension to provide public entrance, waiting room and toilets, Vehi 'le Test Centre Ballafletcher Road Cronkbourne Douglas Isle Of Man IM4 4QJ |

In accordance with paragraph 10 of the above Order, the person appointed by the Council of Ministers to consider this application has submitted his report.

In accordance with paragraph 10.3(a) and (b), a copy of the appointed persons report is enclosed.

On the 10th May 2012, and after consultation, the Council of Ministers accepted the recommendation contained within that report and the application was approved subject to the conditions specified below.

| Date of Issue: 22nd May 2012 | | | --- | --- | | Chief Secretary's Office | | | Government Offices | | | Bucks Road | | | Douglas | |

Mr W Greenhow ACMA Chief Secretary

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:

1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
2. This approval relates to the erection of a single storey extension to provide a public entrance, waiting room and toilets as shown on Drwg Nos 001, 002, 003, 004A, 004B, 005, 006 and 007, all date-stamped 28 February 2012.

Crown Division Government Offices Douglas Isle of Man 24 April 2012 To the Council of Ministers Case Reference: DF12/0005 Planning Application: 12/00295/B Application by the Department of Infrastructure for planning approval for a single storey extension to provide a new public entrance, waiting room and toilets at the Vehicle Test Centre, Ballafletcher Road, Tromode, Braddan IM4 4QJ.

1. I have the honour to report that on 16 April 2012 I carried out a site visit at the above location. The case is being made by written representations.
2. The application is made by the Department of Infrastructure and therefore it cannot be determined by the Planning Committee.

THE PROPOSAL

3. The Vehicle Test Centre is at the junction of Ballafletcher Farm Road and Ballafletcher Road. In front of the main building there is a portacabin used as a waiting room. The proposal is to remove the portacabin and replace it with a single-storey extension attached to the nearest (south west) corner of the main building. The extension would have a pitched roof and be built in materials that match those of the main building. Within the extension's 8.3 \mathrm{~m} \times 7.1 \mathrm{~m} footprint there would be an entrance lobby, waiting room and toilets. Three additional parking spaces would be provided nearby.

REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED

4. The Braddan Commissioners do not object to the proposal.
5. The Manx Electricity Authority has requested that the applicant be advised to contact the Authority before any work is carried out.

ADVICE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE'S PLANNING AND BUILDING CONTROL DIVISION

6. The site is within an area identified in the Braddan Parish Plan as being in industrial use, and General Policy 2(b) of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan requires new development to respect its site and surroundings.
7. The proposed extension would be at the front of the main building and clearly visible when entering the Vehicle Test Centre from Ballafletcher Road. However, when viewed from outside the site, the mature landscaping along the eastern and southern boundaries would provide effective screening.

ASSESSMENT

8. In my view, the main issue is the effect of the proposed extension on the character and appearance of its surroundings.

9. Notwithstanding the significant differences in scale, I consider that the design and materials of the proposed extension would be in keeping with the much larger building to which it would be attached. Furthermore, the extension would not be visible from outside the Vehicle Test Centre because of the trees around the site. Therefore, in my opinion, its scale, form and design would respect the site and its surroundings in accordance with General Policy 2(b) of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan.

10. The removal of the existing portacabin from its prominent position in front of the main building is another point in the proposal's favour.

11. For the above reasons, I conclude that the proposed extension would not have a harmful effect on the character and appearance of its surroundings.

RECOMMENDATION

12. I recommend that planning approval be granted subject to the conditions advised by the Planning and Building Control Division, as set out below:

    1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.

    2. This approval relates to the erection of a single storey extension to provide a public entrance, waiting room and toilets as shown on Drwg Nos 001, 002, 003, 004A, 004B, 005, 006 and 007, all date-stamped 28 February 2012.

Ruth MacKenzie BA(Hons) (R)RTPI Independent Inspector