Planning Officer Report

Case Officer: Miss S E Corlett Photo Taken: Site Visit: Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer's Report

The Site

1. The site is the curtilage of Manor Park School which lies to the south of the spine road through the Pulrose housing estate and accessed between a play area and residential property. Also defined in blue is an area which accommodates the Pulrose Youth and Community Centre. Number 1-28 Sycamore Grove lie to the north west of the site.

1. Manor Park School is a modern modular building which is not particularly prominent in the streetsce, being set back from the main highway, although it is visible therefrom across the play area.

The Proposal

1. Proposed is the installation of a mobile classroom 5.5m to the south west of the school building. The mobile classroom will be 8m wide and 16.5m long and 3.2m high. The building will accommodate two classrooms, four toilets and a cloakroom and store facility.

1. The classroom is intended for pupils with special educational needs which can involve teaching styles and strategies which are not easily incorporated into the mainstream curriculum. One of the classrooms would provide accommodation for the Child and Family Support Worker. It is intended that permanent provision will be made and the applicant is content for a four year limit to be placed upon any approval of this facility.

Planning Policy And Status

1. The site lies within an area designated as Community Centre: the Community Centre is designated as Primary School: there has clearly been a mix up in the designations. The area where Sycamore Grove has been developed is designated as Worship, reflecting the church which was there previously.

1. The provisions of General Policy 2 are applicable which set out standards of development. However, as the proposed mobile classroom is nowhere near other property nor visible from the highway, very few parts of GP2 are directly applicable to this development.

1. The Strategic Plan also includes policies relating to education. Community Policy 5 states: "Permission will generally be given for proposals to improve or extend existing schools and institutions of higher education and to build new schools, subject to their being sited and designed in accordance with the other policies of this plan, having particular regard to the potential for community use of the buildings and the associated Open Space."

Application No.:	12/01468/B
Applicant:	The Department Of Education And Children
Proposal:	Erection of a double mobile classroom
Site Address:	Manor Park School
	Pulrose Road
	Douglas
	Isle Of Man
	IM2 1AT

Planning History

1. Various applications have been submitted for alterations and modifications to the school, none of which is considered relevant in the consideration of this application. Permission was granted for the siting of a mobile classroom on the site under PA 88/00528.

Representations

1. Douglas Corporation and Highways Division indicate that they do not oppose the application.

Assessment

1. The classroom will have very little public visual impact, being visible only from a small part of the golf course and immediately alongside the main school building which is very modern. The facility is obviously required and the facilities to be provided will be a welcome addition to the school accommodation. Department of Education and Children has indicated that if the facility is successful and can be sustained into the future that they will consider permanent accommodation as part of the school.

1. As such it is considered that the proposed development is acceptable and is recommended for approval.

Party Status

1. The local authority is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status.

1. The Department of Transport Highways and Traffic Division is now part of the Department of Infrastructure of which the planning authority is part. As such, the Highways and Traffic Division cannot be afforded party status in this instance.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 02.01.2013

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.

C 2.

This permission relates to the installation of a mobile classroom as shown in drawings 1400.98.01 and 1400.98.02A both received on 1st November, 2012.

C 3.

The classroom may remain in place for a temporary period expiring on 31st July, 2017 after which time it must be removed from the site unless otherwise approved in writing by the planning authority.

NOTE: mobile classrooms such as this are considered by the planning authority to be a temporary measure to address unusual or new situations in the school. If the reason for the temporary accommodation becomes a permanent requirement then the school should consider ways to make permanent provision for this either by reorganisation or expansion of the school infrastructure.

I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control / Development Control Manager/ Senior Planning Officer.

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 3 January 2013

Determining officer (delete as appropriate)

Signed : _________________________ Anthony Holmes Senior Planning Officer

Signed : _________________________ Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control

Signed : _________________________ Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer

Signed : _________________________ Jennifer Chance Development Control Manager