31766

==== PAGE 1 ====

PLANNING OFFICER REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS Application No.: Applicant: Proposal: 14/00631/B Department Of Education & Children Removal of windows and installation of classroom access doors / side screens Manor Park Primary School Pulrose Road Douglas Isle Of Man IM2 lAT Site Address: Case Officer: Photo Taken : Site Visit: Expected Decision Level : Mr Edmond Riley 25.06.2014 Officer Delegation Officer's Report 1.0 THE SITE The site is the curtilage of Manor Park School which lies to the south of the spine road through the still-growing 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, a cul-de-sac, lies to the north west of the site. 1.1 Manor Park School is a modern modular building which is not particularly prominent in the streetscene, being set back from the main highway, although it is visible therefrom across the play area. 1.2 2.0 THE PROPOSAL 3.1 Full planning approval is sought for alterations relating to windows and doors in the south and west elevations of the main school building. On both of these elevations there are a number of panels providing casement windows above panels beneath. Two such panels in each elevation are proposed for removal, with each of the four proposed for replacement with a new double-glazed aluminium door and side panel with window above. All four are identical both In their existing and proposed forms, and their finishes would match the existing materials. These new doors would all serve existing classrooms. 3.0 PLANNING POUCY AND STATUS 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. 3.1 The Isle of Man Strategic Plan includes policies relating to general development proposals and also to education. General Policy 2 states (in part): "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: 3.2 10 luly 2014 14/00631/B Page 1 of 3

==== PAGE 2 ====

respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (b) (c) 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". 3.3 4.0 PUNNING HISTORY 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 PAs 88/00528 and 12/01468. 4.1 5.0 REPRESENTATIONS Douglas Borough Council do not oppose the planning application. 5.1 6.0 ASSESSMENT The proposed works are limited in scale and nature and, given the school's general lack of prominence within the streetscene, the main issue is whether or not the proposal is acceptable in terms of the architecture and design of the building itself, 6.1 There are other similar arrangements elsewhere on the same elevations where the development is proposed and, therefore, it is not considered that the proposed changes would be out of keeping with the existing building. The addition of new doors would provide the possibility for additional fresh air in the classrooms and also provide additional routes into and out of the classrooms. As such, it is considered that the proposal would likely result in an improvement to the existing situation and that conformity with the relevant elements of General Policy 2 and Community Policy 5 are met. 6.2 7.0 RECOMMENDATION 7.1 On the basis of the above assessment, it is considered that the proposed development is acceptable and is recommended for approval. 8.0 INTERESTED PERSON STATUS In line with Article 6(4) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure)(No2) Order 2013, the following Persons are considered to have sufficient interest in the subject matter of the application to take part in any subsequent proceedings relating to the application: the applicant or, if there is one, the applicant's agent; the owner and occupier of the land the subject of the application; Highway Services, and the Local Authority in whose district the land the subject of the application sits. 8.1 10 July 2014 14/00631/B Page 2 of 3

==== PAGE 3 ====

Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 10.07.2014 Conditions and Notes for Approvai / Reasons and Notes for Refusai C : Conditions for approvai N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal O : Notes attached to refusals C 1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. To comply with article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Reason: Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals. This approval relates to the plan 1756 16 P-01, date-stamped as having been received 21st May 2014. I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control /Head of Development Management/ Senior Planning Officer. Decision Made : Permitted Date : Determining officer (delete as appropriate) Signed Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer Signed :... Chris Balmer Senior Planning Officer Signed :... Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control Head of Development Management Signed :... Jennifer Chance 10 July 2014 14/00631/B Page 3 of 3