26 August 2025 · Planning Committee
Store, Onchan Park, Onchan, Isle Of Man, IM3 1hp
The proposal involves changing the use of an existing building in Onchan Park from a soft play area/dance studio to a gym, with no external alterations or changes to the floor plan. It is located in the centre of the Onchan Pleasure Park complex, zoned as 'Open Space, Park' on the Area Plan for the East, and within a C…
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 proposal was approved as it complies with the principle of open space zoning, defined in the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 (10.3.2) as 'land used for recreational purposes, both formal and infor…
General Policy 2
Requires detailed development control considerations including amenity protection. Assessed as compliant given distances to neighbours, limited noise impact blending with existing park activities, and conditions on hours and use to safeguard residential amenity.
Environment Policy 22
Prevents unacceptable harm to amenity of nearby properties from noise. Proposal found acceptable as early openings and noise not significantly detrimental due to site context in pleasure park, property distances, and no nearby objections; conditions restrict hours and group areas.
Strategic Policy 1
Encourages development on previously developed land and underused buildings. Relevant as proposal reuses existing building in park complex without external changes.
Strategic Policy 2 - Priority for new development to identified towns and villages
Focuses new development in settlements unless complying with GP3. Site in settlement but zoning departure assessed via GP3 countryside/open space tests.
Strategic Policy 4
Protects special interest areas. Site in Conservation Area but no external alterations proposed, so no harm.
Spatial Policy 5
Requires well-designed development. No external changes, internal gym use deemed appropriate.
Strategic Policy 10
Promotes integrated journeys and minimises car use. Acceptable due to sustainable location with bus routes and existing parking.
Transport Policy 7
Sets parking standards (1 space per 15sqm for assembly/leisure). No dedicated parking but acceptable given similar demand to existing, Highway Services no objection, and available public parking.
General Policy 3
Acceptable development in areas not zoned for it. Application contrary to 'Open Space, Park' zoning but approved as departure meeting recreational principle.
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 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Hours of operation
The property, hereby approved, shall be open for use by customers only between; Monday - 6am to 19.30pm Tuesday - 6am to 19.30pm Wednesday - 16.00pm to 19.00pm Thursday - 6am to 19.30pm Friday - 6am to 19.30pm Saturday - 6am to 11am Sunday - 9am to 13pm. Reason: In the interests of the amenity of neighbouring residents in accordance with General Policy 2 and Environment Policy 22 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016.
Group class area limitation
The area of the building to be used for group classes shall be limited to that shown on the floor plan, Drawing No. P-01 which formed part of the application and the use hereby permitted shall not extend into any other part of the premises. Reason: To minimise the disturbance to adjacent residential occupiers and to protect the residential character of the locality.
No external lighting
No approval is given for the installation of any external lighting as part of this approval. Reason: for the avoidance of doubt and to ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the submitted details.
Use restriction to gym only
Notwithstanding the provisions of Class 4.4 - Assembly and leisure of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 2019, the development hereby approved shall only be used as a gym. Reason: the proposal has been approved as a departure from the development plan on the basis of the specific use applied for, therefore any different use would need to be fully assesssed by way of a planning application.
No significant negative impact upon highway safety, network functionality and/or parking as the proposed use would have a similar parking demand to the existing uses and there are multiple opportunities to park in the Onchan Park grounds.
