7 August 2012 · Council of Ministers (accepted recommendation of appointed person on 2nd August 2012)
Sea Terminal, Victoria Pier, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 2bx
The proposal involved installing three externally illuminated signs measuring 2.43m wide by 0.6m high, made of powder coated aluminium with acrylic text, in blue with white lettering for a retailer inside the terminal. The Sea Terminal is a prominent harbour building within the Douglas Promenades Conservation Area.
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The inspector assessed that there was no highway safety issue, with Highways Division raising no concerns. On visual amenity, the signs were found to respect the building's distinctive modular panel c…
General Policy 6
Requires advertisements on town buildings to be high standard design/materials relating well to building/site, in keeping without detracting from area, and no highway hazard. Inspector found signs met all tests: high quality powder coated aluminium/acrylic, subordinate and architectural fit, minimal visual change, no safety issue.
Environment Policy 37
Permits advertisements in conservation areas only if they preserve/enhance area, appropriate style, traditional materials (no glossy/reflective), and no internally illuminated box/projecting signs. Assessed as preserving character with minimal change to landmark building; external fluorescent tube illumination on modest flat signs accepted as in character for functional use.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Approved drawings
This permission relates to the erection of illuminated signage, Sea Terminal Building, Victoria Pier, Douglas as shown by drawings 001, 002, 003 and 004 and received and date stamped by Planning Division on 23rd April 2012.
Recommend approval - has no adverse traffic management, parking or road safety implications
no objection to the proposals
provided background statement with relevant policies and recommended conditions should permission be granted
The original application (12/00504/D) for erection of illuminated signage at the Sea Terminal Building was referred to the Council of Ministers due to the applicant being a government division; no refusal occurred as this is an inspector's report recommending approval. The proposal involved adding three static illuminated signs in the retailer's house style (white on blue), replacing one existing sign on the front elevation, with no net increase there and minimal addition on sides. The inspector assessed visual amenity and Conservation Area impacts, finding the signs subordinate to the landmark building, in scale with its modular design, and compliant with policies due to no material harm. General Policy 6 and Environment Policy 37 were upheld as the signage related well to the building, preserved the Conservation Area character, and used appropriate materials. The inspector recommended approval with conditions limiting commencement time and specifying drawings.
Precedent Value
Illuminated signage can be acceptable in Conservation Areas on functional landmark buildings if modest in scale, subordinate, and policy-compliant, even with external illumination, provided no harm to character. Future applicants should emphasise relation to building function and minimal cumulative impact.
Inspector: Alan Langton
