DEC Officer Report

Application No.: 19/00721/D Applicant: Tevir Properties IOM Limited Proposal: Installation of illuminated signage Site Address: 43 - 59 Athol Street Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1LA Principal Planner: Mr Chris Balmer Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 06.08.2019 _________________________________________________________________

Conditions and Notes for Approval

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions C 1. The advertisement(s) hereby granted consent shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice. Reason: To avoid the accumulation of unimplemented advertisement consents. Plans/Drawings/Information:

This approval relates to the submitted documents and drawings references 1803-PL-001, 1803PL-130, 1803-PL-131, 1803-PL-132, 1803-PL-410 and 1803-PL-411 all received on 25th June 2019.

_______________________________________________________________ Interested Person Status – Additional Persons

None _____________________________________________________________________________

Officer’s Report

1.0 SITE - 1.1 The application site is 43-59 Athol Street, Douglas. The site is the southern side of the street at the western end, close to Douglas Railway Station. The site in question forms the majority of the block of buildings in which it is located, featuring 5 storeys of offices with a variation of external styles and finish from red brick to white rendered. The site has been used as office space for its lifetime, and is currently unoccupied.

1.2 Whilst the buildings were constructed in the 1990's, the brick facades and traditional window settings on the front facing elevation are of more traditional appearance. The red brick on the end part of the site alludes to the use of brick at the entrance to the railway station across the street. - 1.3 The site is within the Athol Street and Victoria Street Conservation Area. There is car parking within the basement of the buildings and an additional access road/lane to the rear (Shaw's Brow).

2.0 THE PROPOSAL - 2.1 The application seeks approval for the installation of signage which is illuminated above and around the two main entrances of the building. The signage namely relates to the Nr of the building "55 Athol St" and is proposed to be either side of the door, on the glassed door and above one of the doors.

3.0 PLANNING HISTORY - 3.1 There has been a large number of past planning applications on the location of this site, beginning with the construction of the office buildings in the 1990's. Many of the applications concern advertisements and alterations such as satellite dishes and air conditioning units. - 3.2 There are no past applications which are materially specific to this application, the windows existing have been in place since the buildings construction.

4.0 DEVELOPMENT PLAN POLICIES - 4.1 The Douglas Local Plan 1998 designates the site as within an area zoned for Predominantly Offices. The site is within Athol Street & Victoria Street Conservation Areas. - 4.2 In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan contains a number of policies that are considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application: - 4.3 General Policy 6 states: "Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements will be permitted on the site or building to which they relate provided they:

• (a) are of a high standard of design and materials and relate well to the building and site on which they are to be displayed;
• (b) are in keeping with and do not detract from the surrounding area; and
• (c) are located so as not to cause a highway safety hazard."

4.4 General Policy 7 states: "Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements on sites or buildings other than those to which they relate will not generally be permitted." - 4.5 Environment Policy 35 states: "Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development." - 4.6 Environment Policy 37 states: "As a general policy, advertisements within Conservation Areas will be permitted only if:

• i) the proposal preserves or enhances the Conservation Area;
• ii) the signage is in a style appropriate to the character of the area;
• iii) traditional materials and finishes are used and glossy and highly reflective materials are excluded from proposals; and
• iv) internally illuminated box fascia and projecting box signs are excluded from the proposals."

5.0 CONSULTATIONS - 5.1 Douglas Borough Council have no objection (on 24.07.2019).

6.0 ASSESSMENT - 6.1 The main issue to be considered in the assessment of this application is the impact of the proposed development upon the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and the individual property. - 6.2 The Department has a duty to determine whether such proposals are in keeping with not only the individual building, but the special character and quality of the area as a whole. With this in mind it is very relevant to consider Environment Policy 35 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (adopted June 2016). This policy indicates that development within Conservation Areas will only be permitted if they would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development. - 6.3 The signage is part of an overall scheme to improve the appearance of the building which has gained approval under application 18/01311/B for installation of replacement windows and ground floor doorway replacements to give a more contemporary appearance. The proposed signage are also a more contemporary feel on a traditional styled building (albeit relative modern building). It is consider the approach especially to the two signs either side of the doorways on the front façade of the building are a modern taken (fret cut brushed stainless steel) on the traditional brass plaques which are very common along Athol Street. While in some cases this may not be appropriate, in this case given the modern nature of the overall building and given the more contemporary approved entrances (18/01311/B) it is considered the proposals would fit well. - 6.4 The signs are all appropriate and would be appropriate to the style of the building and would not cause any unacceptable harm to the Conservation Area, therefore comply with EP35 & 37 GP 6 & 7 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016.

7.0 CONCLUSION - 7.1 On the basis that the proposed development is considered to comply with the relevant policy of the Strategic Plan, a recommendation of approval is made.

8.0 PARTY STATUS - 8.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2013, the following persons are automatically interested persons:

• (a) The applicant, or if there is one, the applicant's agent;
• (b) The owner and the occupier of any land that is the subject of the application or any other person in whose interest the land becomes vested;
• (c) Persons to whom notice has been given under regulation 10(3)(a)(i)
• (d) Any Government Department that has made written submissions relating to planning considerations with respect to the application that the Department considers material;
• (e) The Highways Division of the Department;
• (f) The Ports Division of the Department;
• (g) The operator of the railway or tramway; and
• (h) The local authority in whose district the land the subject of the application is situated. _____________________________________________________________________

I can confirm that this decision has been made by a Principal Planner in accordance with the authority afforded to that Officer by the appropriate DEFA Delegation.

Decision Made : Permitted Date: 07.08.2019 Determining officer

Signed : S CORLETT Sarah Corlett Principal Planner

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