STATEMENT SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF PLANNING AND BUILDING CONTROL DIVISION (DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE)

PA13/00542/B Conversion of redundant tank room to storeroom, Isle of Man College of Further Education, Homefield Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 6RB

Statement on behalf of the Planning and Building Control Division (Department of Infrastructure) in respect of:

PA13/00542/B Conversion of redundant tank room to storeroom, Isle of Man College of Further Education, Homefield Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 6RB

INTRODUCTION

In accordance with the provisions of 10. (1)(b) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005 any planning application that proposes development involving land that the Department of Infrastructure is in ownership it cannot be determined by the Planning and Building Control Division. In these instances the relevant legislation requires the planning application to be referred to and determined by the Council of Ministers. Such planning applications are dealt with by an appointed person (Planning Inspector) who is charged with assessing the proposed development and reporting their recommendations to the Council of Ministers.
Given the above, this statement is intended to set out the background of the planning application and identify what are considered to be relevant planning policy considerations. In order to avoid any perception of bias the statement purposely makes no assessment of the proposed development and offers no recommendation.

THE APPLICATION SITE

The application site is the curtilage of an existing oil tank room located to the northwest corner of the central building of the Isle of Man College of Further Education sited on the northern side of Homefield Road in Douglas.
The existing building is currently finished in a part painted brickwork and part painted render. To the northern elevation of the existing oil tank room is a roller shutter door and two louvered doors.

THE PROPOSAL

The planning application seeks planning permission for the conversion of the redundant tank room to a storeroom with the installation of a new door and roller shutter door on the northwest elevation and removal of the existing roller shutter door and the existing oil filler cabinet.

PLANNING HISTORY

The application site has been the subject of twenty four previous planning applications. A full planning history has been included within Appendix 1 of this statement.

PLANNING POLICY

In terms of land use designation the site lies within an area which is designated as Education by the Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Douglas Local Plan) Order Map No. 3 (North).
In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 contains one policy that is considered specifically material 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; (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses;

(e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; (j) can be provided with all necessary services; (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption."

ASSESSMENT

It is imperative to consider the impacts of the alterations on the existing appearance of the main building and consider the impact of the use of the store room on the amenities of those using the building.

RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS

Should the appointed person be minded to recommend that the application be permitted, the following conditions are recommended:

C1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.

C2. This permission relates for the conversion of an existing redundant oil tank room to storeroom and installation of new doors and removal of an existing roller door relates to drg no 01, 02, 03 and 04 and 2 \times A5 Photographs detailing the application site building all date stamped 2^{\text {nd }} May 2013.

APPENDIX 1

Isle of Man College of Further Education Planning History

Planning Case History for Iom College Of Further Education Homefield Road Douglas Isle Of Man IM2 6RB

Case Number : 84/00712/B Proposal : Siting of mobile classroom, College of Further Education, Homefield Road, Douglas. Status : Permitted