12 July 2012 · Senior Planning Officer under delegated authority (Sarah Corlett, Anthony Holmes)
Motors & Mowers Ltd, Station Road, Kirk Michael, Isle Of Man, IM6 1ae
The proposal sought consent for non-illuminated advertising signage on a commercial showroom building: a horizontally proportioned gable sign (5m long x 0.5m high, aluminium frame with orange, green and white plastic inserts advertising 'STIHL', 'MOTORS & MOWERS' and 'VIKING') facing Main Road, and a 4.5m high steel to…
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The officer assessed the proposal against Environment Policy 35 (requiring development in conservation areas to preserve or enhance character) and Environment Policy 37 (requiring signage to preserve/…
General Policy 6
Requires advertisements in towns/villages to be high standard design/materials relating well to building/site, in keeping with surroundings, no highway hazard. Officer noted no highway issues but signs failed on design/materials relating to site and conservation setting.
Environment Policy 35
Permits only development preserving/enhancing conservation area character, protecting special features. Proposal failed as signage did not preserve/enhance due to style/design/materials detracting from area.
Environment Policy 37
Permits conservation area ads if preserving/enhancing, appropriate style, traditional materials (no glossy/reflective), no illuminated box/projecting signs. Failed on modern plastic/steel materials, boxlike gable/totem forms adding clutter; non-illuminated but still inappropriate.
Recommend approval has no adverse traffic management, parking or road safety implications
supports the application as business supports 12 full time local jobs, provides local services over 20 years; increased advertising assists in economic times; some visual impact but not adverse to conservation character overall
Michael Commissioners repeatedly objected to the freestanding advertising signage due to its size and obtrusive impact on the conservation area, while Highways Division recommended approval with no concerns and Alfred Cannan MHK provided support citing economic benefits.
Key concern: free standing board is too large and obtrusive and does not preserve or enhance the Conservation area
Michael Commissioners
ObjectionThe free standing board is too large and obtrusive and does not preserve or enhance the Conservation area and would therefore not be in keeping.; The signage on the gable end on the building the Commissioners have no objection too.
Highways Division
Conditional No ObjectionRecommend approval has no adverse traffic management, parking or road safety implications
Alfred Cannan MHK
SupportI write in support of the above application; these are harder economic times and increased advertising would assist the company in maintaining its business levels; some visual impacts would be noticeable, these would not detract from the overall character of the area
The original application for erection of a gable sign and totem sign was refused under Environment Policies 35 and 37 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2007 for not preserving or enhancing the Kirk Michael Conservation Area. The appellant argued the signs were appropriate in materials, colours, and scale compared to existing signage, necessary for business operation, and would have minimal impact. The Council defended the refusal citing visual clutter, inappropriate materials, and detriment to conservation area character. The inspector found the signs too large and obtrusive despite good design and materials, particularly the oversized gable sign and high totem sign, concluding they would harm the conservation area's character contrary to policies EP35, EP37, and CA/2. The appeal was dismissed on 31 October 2012.
Precedent Value
This appeal demonstrates that in Isle of Man conservation areas, scale and prominence of signage can decisively outweigh design quality and business needs; applicants must ensure proposals are proportionate to building and street scene, as existing unauthorised signage does not set precedent.
Inspector: Anthony J Wharton BArch RIBA RIAS MRTPI
