218791 — 25/00273/D | Planning Portal IoM | Isle of Man Planning Portal

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                                                 25/00273/D
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PLANNING OFFICER REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS Application No. : 25/00273/D Applicant : Mr Borislav Atanasov Aleksov Proposal : Installation of non-illuminated signage and illuminated signage (all retrospective) Site Address : Unit 3 Cringle Close Reayrt Mie Ballasalla Isle Of Man IM9 2BZ Planning Officer: Vanessa Porter Photo Taken : Site Visit : Expected Decision Level : Officer Delegation Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 19.05.2025 __ Conditions and Notes for Approval C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions C 1. In the event that the signage hereby approved is no longer required, the signage and any associated supports including below ground shall be removed within 6 months and the ground restored to its former condition. Reason: to avoid the accumulation of unwarranted structures in the interest of visual amenity. This application has been recommended for approval for the following reason. The installation of the non-illuminated signage and lighting bar on the site complies with The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 and is also in accordance with General Policy 6 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016. Plans/Drawings/Information; This decision relates to the following plans and drawings, date stamped received on 12th March 2025: o Site Plan o Location Plan o Elevation Drawing o Light Fitting Image o Light Fitting Specification o Signage artwork __ Interested Person Status

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                                                 25/00273/D
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None __ Officer’s Report THE APPLICATION SITE 1.1 The application site is within the curtilage of a Unit 3, Cringle Close, which is a new shop unit situated within a larger estate of Reayrt Mie which is accessed of Douglas Road and currently under construction. 1.2 During the officer's site visit, all the signage was in place as shown on the drawings provided. THE PROPOSAL 2.1 The current planning application seeks approval for the installation of the following signage;

two full window covers to the front elevation
one double door cover to the front elevation
one opening times and additional information board to the front elevation
two full window covers to the side elevation
large sign above doors, with the wording Costcutter situated in the middle. The sign is made of raised vinyl with the background being white and the wording being blue. 2.2 The proposal also includes a lighting bar situated above the Costcutter signage, which is to illuminate the sign. PLANNING HISTORY 3.1 The following applications are relevant in the assessment of this application; PA21/01262/B - Third phase of development consisting of 128 dwellings, a neighbourhood centre with children's nursery and local shop units, and public open space including a children's playground - Permitted. PA20/00124/MCH - Minor changes application for PA 19/00137/B involving alterations, traffic calming features, new footpath link and pedestrian link - Permitted PA19/00137/B - Residential development comprised of 282 dwellings, associated highway and drainage infrastructure and public open space, and the construction of a new by-pass road between Douglas Road and the rear of Railway Terrace to include a new roundabout on Douglas Road and a bridge over the IOM Steam Railway line - Permitted PLANNING POLICY 4.1 The site lies within an area zoned as "Res (Prop), Ind (Prop), CF, POS, No.3. The site is not within a Conservation Area nor a Flood Risk Zone. 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 Further to the above it is relevant to assess the application under General Policy 2 which sets out general development standards, General Policy 6 which sets out what is expected for the display of external advertisements and General policy 7 which sets out that the display of adverts must be in relation to the site they are situated upon.

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                                                 25/00273/D
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REPRESENTATIONS 5.1 The following representations can be found in full online, below is a short summery; 5.2 Highway Services have considered the proposal and state, "No Highways Interest." (07.04.25) 5.3 Malew Parish Commissioners have considered the proposal and state, "No Objection." (09.05.25) ASSESSMENT 6.1 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. 6.2 Further to this paragraph 6.6.2 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016 makes it 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 endanger safety by distracting or confusing highway users and may, 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". The signage proposed is to the front and side of the site, which is situated within a high public vantage point. Whilst this is the case, overall the proposal signage is acceptable for a local store, with the signage being considered acceptable in size and scale so as to be readable by passing public without causing a distraction or any highway safety issues. It is noted that the main sign will have a lighting bar above it, whilst this is the case, the lighting bar is what would be accepted for a local store. As such it is considered that the design and siting of the signage is acceptable and would comply with General Policies 6 and 7 and would meets the general standards set out in The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013. CONCLUSION 7.1 Overall it is considered that the size, scale, siting and design of the signs are acceptable and relates to the local store situated within the site, would have no adverse visual or amenity harm to the public or public safety. As such the application would 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 For the avoidance of doubt there shall be two conditions added, one to ensure no illumination apart from on the lighting bar and a second to require its removal in the event that it is no longer needed. 8.0 INTERESTED PERSON STATUS 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)

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(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 of Infrastructure; (f) The Ports Division of the Department of Infrastructure; (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 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: 20.05.2025 Determining Officer Signed : C BALMER

Chris Balmer

Principal Planner 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.