Loading document...
==== PAGE 1 ====
24/00890/D Page 1 of 4
PLANNING OFFICER REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Application No. : 24/00890/D Applicant : Tesco Proposal : Installation of illuminated and non-illuminated signage Site Address : Supermarket Bowring Road Ramsey Isle Of Man IM8 2LL
Planning Officer: Lucy Kinrade Photo Taken : Site Visit : Expected Decision Level :
Recommendation
Recommended Decision:
Permitted Date of Recommendation: 19.09.2024 __
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.
C 2. The illuminated sign hereby granted consent shall not be lit by an intermittent source.
Reason: In the interests of amenity and public safety.
This application has been recommended for approval for the following reason. The signage hereby approved is considered to have an acceptable visual and amenity impact and not expected to result in any highway or public harm and is therefore considered to accord with The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013, as well as meeting with the principles of General Policies 6, 7 and 8 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016.
Plans/Drawings/Information; This approval relates to drawing numbers all date received 08/08/2024: o F3757-RA-OW1-XX-ZZ-DR-A-0800 rev P01 - Site Location Plan o F3757-RA-OW1-XX-ZZ-DR-A-0801 rev P01 - Existing Site Plan o F3757-RA-OW1-XX-ZZ-DR-A-0805 rev P01 - Existing Elevations o F3757-RA-OW1-XX-ZZ-DR-A-0811 rev P02 - Proposed Site Plan - Signage o F3757-RA-OW1-XX-ZZ-DR-A-0812 rev P02 - Signage Elevations o F3757-RA-OW1-XX-ZZ-DR-A-0813 rev P01 - Signage Details __ Interested Person Status
None
==== PAGE 2 ====
24/00890/D Page 2 of 4
Officer’s Report
1.0 THE SITE 1.1 Site relates to an existing large supermarket building situated in the heart of Ramsey and just off Bowring Road. The building was previously occupied by Shoprite and recently taken over by Tesco.
2.0 THE PROPOSAL 2.1 Proposed is the installation of signage to the front and south side elevation of the building, comprising one large 'Tesco' sign above the main front doors and then some smaller directional signage at the entrance including the opening hours information, and 3 larger vinyl signage areas wrapping the front and east side elevation corner.
2.2 Only the main 'Tesco' sign above the front doors is to be internal illumination.
3.0 PLANNING HISTORY 3.1 The site has been subject to a number of previous application including three for advertising signage previously - 92/00082/D, 97/01644/D and 02/00041/D.
4.0 PLANNING POLICY 4.1 In terms of local plan policy, the application site lies within an area designated on the Ramsey Local Plan as 'Mixed Use - Town Centre.
4.2 The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 make it clear that the only considerations which can be applied to applications made under them are in the interests of amenity and public safety. In the case of amenity, such things as the general characteristics of the area need to be taken into account along with the presence of any features of historic, architectural, cultural or similar interest and the public safety should consider the safety of any person using a road, railway, tramway, harbour or aerodrome including the obscuration of any traffic sign or similar.
4.3 In addition to The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 we may also consider General Policies 6 and 7 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016. These policies cover advertisements in both town and village centres. R/TC/P17 of the Ramsey Local plan also cover signage highlight a need for uniformity and reduction of clutter in conservation areas.
5.0 REPRESENTATIONS Copies of representations received can be viewed on the government's website. This report contains summaries only.
5.1 Ramsey Town Commissioners - no objection (05/09/2024)
5.2 Department of Infrastructure (DOI) Highway Services - No highways interest (16/08/2024).
6.0 ASSESSMENT 6.1 The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 make clear that the only considerations which can be applied to applications made under them are in the interests of amenity and public safety. In the case of amenity, such things as the general characteristics of the area need to be taken into account along with the presence of any features of historic, architectural, cultural or similar interest and the public safety should consider the safety of any person using a road, railway, tramway, harbour or aerodrome including the obscuration of any traffic sign or similar. Further to this paragraph 6.6.2 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016 makes clear that "within our towns and villages, well designed and sensitively sited advertisements can contribute positively to the character of a building or area, and can be of help to the general public. However, advertisements which are too bright, overlarge or poorly sited may
==== PAGE 3 ====
24/00890/D Page 3 of 4
endanger safety by distracting or confusing highway users and might, both individually and cumulatively, detract from amenity by being intrusive, by introducing clutter and visual confusion or by masking features of interest or attraction". Paragraph 6.6.3 furthers on this stating that "within rural areas, advertisements can be disruptive features which affect adversely the appearance of the landscape and the countryside. Lighting can pollute the night sky, and may be contrary to nature conservation interests".
Signage 6.2 The proposed signage within this application relates to the users of the supermarket building, the main 'TESCO' sign is considered acceptable and proportionate to the building in terms of form, size and finish and not being overbearing or dominant.
6.3 The larger panel signage areas wrapping the building are quite dominant and bold, however such vinyl signage is not uncommon particularly at these larger supermarkets and given the already established supermarket nature and its town centre location outside of the conservation area and being fixed to the non-traditional supermarket building that they would not be unreasonable in this case given their size and scale being a reasonably small area compared to the rest of the building. The signage would be prominent enough to be recognised without being a distraction to passing motorists.
6.4 The smaller way signs and information signs are perhaps more so for those walking/approaching the building on foot. They're sufficiently recognisable and readable in that regard without being a distraction to motorists.
6.5 All areas of signage are considered to be visually acceptable for this building and within this town centre location.
Illumination 6.6 The application site is within an existing shopping area where there is already a degree of illuminated signage as well as existing streetlights. There are no hours of illumination stated within the application, although based their being only one signage on the front which is to be internally illuminated and not expected to be so bright as to cause any visual distractions to passing vehicles, nor to harm any amenity or living conditions of nearby neighbours that there is no reason in this case to add any planning conditions to control hours of illumination in this case, but a condition preventing any intermittent light source is appropriate to prevent flickering or distractions to motorists.
6.7 Minded of the town centre location, it is not considered that the level of illumination in this case will result in any increased light pollution beyond that lighting which already exists within this commercial area to cause concern or a refusal.
7.0 CONCLUSION 7.1 Overall it is considered that the size, scale, siting and design of the signage would have no adverse visual or amenity harm to the existing building of any neighbouring properties or public safety. By reason of its size, internal lighting type and position on the front elevation, the proposed illumination is considered acceptable and not to result in any visual or amenity harm to any neighbouring properties or public safety. The application is considered to accord with The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013, as well as meeting with the principles of General Policies 6, 7 and 8 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016.
7.2 It is not considered necessary in this instance to add a condition restricting the hours of illumination given the established nature of the surrounding town centre location and distance and angles from nearest residential properties, and illumination of the signs at any time is not expected to impact highways or the amenity of adjacent business premises or surrounding environment. A condition to prevent any illumination by intermittent source is to be applied as standard.
==== PAGE 4 ====
24/00890/D Page 4 of 4
8.0 INTERESTED PERSON STATUS 8.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2013 (As Amended), the following persons are automatically interested persons: o The applicant, or if there is one, the applicant's agent; o Any Government Department that has made written submissions relating to planning considerations with respect to the application that the Department considers material; o The local authority in whose district the land the subject of the application is situated. o the Highways, Ports and Railways divisions of the Department of Infrastructure.
8.2 The decision maker must determine: o whether any other comments from Government Departments (other than those explicitly listed above) are material; and o whether there are other persons to those listed above who should be given Interested Person Status.
__
I can confirm that this decision has been made by the Acting Head of Development Management in accordance with the authority afforded to that officer by the appropriate DEFA Delegation and that in making this decision the Officer has agreed the recommendation in relation to who should be afforded interested person status and/or rights to appeal.
Decision Made: Permitted Date: 24.09.2024
Determining officer
Signed : A MORGAN Abigail Morgan Acting Head of Development Management
Customer note
This copy of the officer report reflects the content of the office copy and has been produced in this form for the benefit of our online service/customers and archive record.
Copyright in submitted documents remains with their authors. Request removal