Officer Report

Application No.: 15/00062/D Applicant: Bourne Plaice Ltd Proposal: Erection of signage (retrospective) Site Address: 1 Dale Street Ramsey Isle of Man IM8 1BJ Case Officer : Mr Chris Balmer Photo Taken: 28.01.2015 Site Visit: 28.01.2015 Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer’s Report

1.0 THE SITE - 1.1 The application site is the curtilage of 1 Dale Street, Ramsey which is a three storey terrace property which occupies a corner plot and adjoins properties on both Dale Street and the terrace which faces onto the car park. The ground floor of the property has recently had approval for the conversion to fish and chip shop.

2.0 THE PROPOSAL - 2.1 The application seeks approval for the erection of signage (retrospective). The signage would be individual mounted letters. - 2.2 The form indicates that they are hopeful to install lighting at a later date. There are no lighting details with the application and therefore this will have to be dealt with under a separate application.

3.0 PLANNING HISTORY - 3.1 The following previous applications are considered to be relevant in the assessment of the current scheme:

PA 13/91155/B Conversion of existing first floor office to additional living accommodation for upper floor apartment - approved

• PA 13/91504/C Change of use of ground floor office to retail and conversion of upper floor offices into an apartment - approved
• PA 14/00180/B Conversion from office to a fish and chip shop - approved

4.0 DEVELOPMENT PLAN POLICIES - 4.1 The application site is within an area zoned as "Town Centre Mixed Use" identified on the Ramsey Local Plan 1998, the site is also within the Ramsey Conservation Area. Given the nature of the application it is appropriate to consider Environment Policy 37 of The Isle of Man Strategic Plan (20th June 2007).

5.0 CONSULTATIONS - 5.1 Highway Services indicate that they do not oppose the application (02.02.15) - 5.2 Ramsey Town Commissioners indicate that they do not oppose the application (23.2.15)

5.3 The owner of 3, Dale Street, Ramsey objects to the application on the basis that the material and appearance are inappropriate for a Conservation Area, particularly compared with neighbouring signs which are more appropriate - traditional backing board with painted lettering. They refer to PA 91/01117/D which was an application for signage for the Britannia Building Society.

6.0 ASSESSMENT - 6.1 The key consideration in the assessment of the application is the impact upon the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. - 6.2 The lettering is individually mounted on the existing frontage. The style is considered to be appropriate to the character of the area and appears to be of a high quality. The materials are not glossy or highly reflective. - 6.3 It is judged that the signage enhances the appearance of the property and therefore the area in general. - 6.4 The application does not propose illuminated signage; the form indicates that they are hopeful that lighting will be installed at a later date. Given that there are no details given of the lighting it is not appropriate to consider it under this application. - 6.5 For the above reasons the application is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for approval.

7.0 PARTY STATUS - 7.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2013, the following persons are automatically interested persons:

• (a) The applicant, or if there is one, the applicant's agent;
• (b) The owner and the occupier of any land that is the subject of the application or any other person in whose interest the land becomes vested;
• (c) Persons to whom notice has been given under regulation 10(3)(a)(i)
• (d) Any Government Department that has made written submissions relating to planning considerations with respect to the application that the Department considers material;
• (e) The Highways Division of the Department;
• (f) The Ports Division of the Department;
• (g) The operator of the railway or tramway; and
• (h) The local authority in whose district the land the subject of the application is situated.

7.2 In addition to those above, the Regulation 11(3) requires the Department to decide which persons (if any) who have made representations with respect to the application, should be treated as having sufficient interest in the subject matter of the application to take part in any subsequent proceedings relating to the application.

In this instance, it is recommended that the following persons have sufficient interest and should be awarded the status of an Interested Person.

The owner of 3, Dale Street, Ramsey

Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation:

20.04.2015

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval

• N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal
• O : Notes attached to refusals

• C 1. The advertisement(s) hereby granted consent shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice. Reason: To avoid the accumulation of unimplemented advertisement consents.
• C 2. No approval is hereby granted for the installation of lighting. Reason: no lighting details were submitted as part of the application.

This approval relates to drawings Block Plan, Location Plan and Photograph received 20th January 2015.

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 : 22.04.2015 Determining officer (delete as appropriate)

Signed :…………………………………….. Chris Balmer Senior Planning Officer Signed :…………………………………….. Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer Signed :…………………………………….. Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control Signed : Jennifer Chance Jennifer Chance Head of Development Management