Planning Officer Report

Case Officer: Mr Chris Balmer Photo Taken: 18.03.2013 Site Visit: 18.03.2013 Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer's Report

1.0 THE SITE 1.1 The application site forms the curtilage of 19 - 21 Prospect Hill, Douglas situated on the eastern side of Prospect Hill and north of Athol Street. The building is four storeys in height and is currently used as a bank.

2.0 THE PROPOSAL 2.1 The application proposes the installation of an ATM on the ground floor fronting onto Prospect Hill. The single ATM would have height of 0.8 metres and a width of 0.8 metres. The proposal would replace an existing window.

3.0 PLANNING STATUS AND POLICY 3.1 The site lies within an area of Predominantly Offices. The Strategic Plan contains policies about signage as follows:

In terms of local plan policy, the application site is in area designated as Predominantly Offices under the Douglas Local Plan Order 1998 Map No. 1 (Central Area). The application site is within the Athol Street/ Victoria Street Conservation Area.

1. In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 contains two policies that are considered specifically relevant to the assessment of this current planning application:

General Policy 2 states: "Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development:

• (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief;
• (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them;
• (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape;
• (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality;

Environmental Policy 35 states: "Within Conservation Areas, the department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special

Application No.:	13/00277/B
Applicant:	Alliance & Leicester International Ltd
Proposal:	Installation of an ATM
Site Address:	19 - 21 Prospect Hill Douglas Isle Of Man IM1 1ET

features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development."

4.0 Planning History

4.1 The previous planning applications are considered relevant in the assessment and determination of this application: Erection of illuminated and non illuminated signage - 13/00276/D - PENDING CONSIDERATION

Installation of six roof lights - 07/02041/B - APPROVED Installation of a ramped access and entrance doors, window enlargement, and signage 03/01944/B - APPROVED

Creation of access ramp - 00/00590/B - APPROVED Erection of advertising signage - 00/00301/D - APPROVED Demolition of building and erection of four-storey office block with associated car parking 88/04622/B - APPROVED

Approval in principle to erect an office development with associated facilities and car park 87/00694/A - APPROVED

5.0 Representations

5.1 There are no representations on the file at the time of writing.

6.0 Assessment

6.1 As the application site is within a Conservation Area it is important that the ATM either preserves or enhances the Conservation Area and does not cause a damaging and detrimental impact. Therefore Environment Policy 35 is most important in the assessment of this current planning application. 6.2 The installation of the ATM to the front elevation is not considered to adversely affect the character or quality of the building or the Conservation Area. ATMs have become established features at the frontages of banks. In the immediate vicinity there are a number of ATMs which have been considered acceptable features in the street scene and Conservation Area. The works are minor and do not involve any significant alteration to the appearance of the existing building which was constructed in recent time (approx 1990s). The Conservation Officer has considered the submission and has no objections. 6.3 Overall, it is concluded that the planning application is in accordance with General Policy 2 and Environment Policy 35 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007

7.0 Recommendation

7.1 It is recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions in the attached schedule.

8.0 Party Status

8.1 The local authority, Douglas Borough Council 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.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of 10.04.2013 Recommendation:

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 approval relates to the installation of an ATM as proposed in the submitted documents which are date-stamped 21st February 2013.

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 : 12/14/13

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