3 May 2012 · Minister for Infrastructure - By Order of the Minister, I T Thompson (Chief Executive)
Whilo, 70, Bucks Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 3af
The proposal sought consent for the ongoing display of an externally illuminated fascia sign and additional illuminated panels at a commercial property on Bucks Road in Douglas. This was a retrospective application under the Control of Advertisements Regulations 2005.
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The decision notice states the proposal was refused because it is contrary to General Policy 6(b) of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007, in that the development if approved is not in keeping with and…
General Policy 6
General Policy 6(a) requires advertisements to relate well to the building and site; the fascia sign failed this test. General Policy 6(b) requires developments to be in keeping with the surrounding area; the proposal was found to detract from it. The officer applied these tests directly to the signs' design, illumination, and location.
The original application for retrospective consent for an illuminated fascia sign and display panels was refused by the Planning Committee, primarily due to the unauthorised shop front lacking compliance with prior approval and harm to visual amenities. The appellant argued that the signs would benefit from deemed consent absent illumination, the locality supports varied signage, internal layout necessitates the panels, and the Council's reasoning was inconsistent and unclear. The inspector assessed amenity impacts under the Advertisement Regulations, finding the fascia sign spanning 11.8m across two units harmful to the characteristic scale of 6m-wide shop frontages in the terrace, despite variety in styles. Views into the shop were not a significant issue, but the fascia harm conflicted with General Policy 6. The Minister accepted the inspector's recommendation to dismiss the appeal on 11 October 2012.
Precedent Value
Merged units require signage respecting original terrace rhythm (e.g. separate fascias); resolve unauthorised development via planning application before ad consent. Future applicants must demonstrate site-specific amenity fit under GP6, not just general locality variety.
Inspector: Stephen Amos MA (Cantab) MCD MRTPI
