14 January 2019 · Planning Committee
5, Cooil-Ny-Marrey, Waterloo Road, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 1ef
The proposal involves converting ground floor retail/office space at Nos. 3 and 5 Waterloo Road into a funeral directors, including a chapel of rest, workshops, office/reception, meeting room, and staff facilities on the first floor.
Click a button above to find applications similar to this one.
See how this application compares to similar ones — policies, conditions, and outcomes side by side.
The officer considered the site has a history of retail, taxi office, and storage uses despite residential zoning, making the change to funeral directors broadly in keeping without external alteration…
General Policy 2
Applies to proposals in accordance with land-use zoning (despite residential designation, existing retail/office use engaged it). Tested siting/layout/scale respect for surroundings (b), no adverse character impact (c), no harm to resident amenity/locality character (g), satisfactory access/parking/manoeuvring (h), no unacceptable road safety/traffic effect (i). Officer found all met due to no external changes, low-intensity operation, and adequate rear yard provision.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. Reason: To comply with article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Parking provision
The development hereby approved shall not be occupied or operated until the parking area within the rear yard has been provided in accordance with the approved plans. Such areas shall not be used for any purpose other than the parking and vehicle movements associated with the development and shall remain free of obstruction for such use at all times. Reason: To ensure that sufficient provision is made for off-street parking of vehicles in the interests of highway safety, in accordance with General Policy 2 and Transport Policy 7 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016.
no objection
Ramsey Town Commissioners have no objection to the proposed change of use from retail and office space to funeral directors at 3 & 5 Waterloo Road, Ramsey.
Ramsey Town Commissioners
No ObjectionI am directed to advise that the Ramsey Town Commissioners considered the above application at their meeting on Wednesday 17th October, 2018 and have no objection to the proposal.
The original application for change of use from retail/office to funeral directors at 3 and 5 Waterloo Road, Ramsey, was permitted by DEFA Planning. Neighbouring business owner Mr Wai Ming Cheng appealed, arguing cultural sensitivities, amenity harm to his staff's living accommodation above the site, inadequate plans, and parking issues. The Planning Authority and applicant defended the proposal as acceptable in principle, with negligible impacts. Inspector Brian J Sims found the submitted plans lacked scale and detail, failing to assure protection of amenity (especially cultural concerns and outlook over rear yard), character, and parking, contrary to GP2. The Minister accepted the recommendation, allowed the appeal, and refused permission on 8 July 2019.
Precedent Value
Establishes cultural sensitivities and neighbour business impacts as material amenity considerations; emphasises need for scaled/detailed plans showing screening/layout/parking for sensitive uses like funeral directors near residences/businesses. Future applicants must submit comprehensive details upfront to avoid reversal on appeal.
Inspector: Brian J Sims BSc CEng MICE MRTPI
