Officer Planning Report

Application No.: 09/00103/B Applicant: Manx Co Op Ltd Proposal: Installation of roof mounted AC unit and associated enclosure Site Address: Co-Op Store Christian Street Ramsey Isle Of Man IM8 1DG ### Considerations Case Officer : Mr A Holmes Expected Decision Level: Delegated Decision Senior DC Officer ### Written Representations ### Consultations Consultee : Highways Division Notes : Consultee : Clerk To The Commissioners Notes : Consultee : Manx Electricity Authority Notes: Interest expressed

Officer's Report

The Application Site And Proposed Development

The application site comprises the Co-Op Supermarket building on Christian Street in Ramsey. The proposed development comprises the installation of roof mounted air conditioning unit and associated enclosure.

Planning History

Whilst the application site has been the subject of a number of previous planning applications it is considered that none of these are specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application.

Representations

The Manx Electricity Authority expresses an interest in the planning application.

Planning Policy

In terms of local plan policy, the application site is within a wider area of land that is designated as mixed use (town centre) under the Ramsey Local Plan Order 1998. There are no policies with Planning Circular 2/99, the written statement that accompanies the local plan, considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application.

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;
• (I) 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

The planning application seeks approval for the installation of roof mounted air conditioning unit and associated enclosure.

Whilst the proposed development will be visible from the car park to the front of the building it is considered that the proposal is not alien in appearance to the building given its commercial use. The proposal does not unduly harm public or private amenity.

It is recommended that the planning application be approved.

Party Status

It is considered that the following parties that made representations to the planning application do not meet the criteria of Government Circular 1/06 and should not be afforded interested party status:

The Manx Electricity Authority.

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 24.02.2009

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

C 2.

This approval relates to drawing no.s LOC/01, GA-01, GA-02 and the air conditioning specification date stamped the 23rd January 2009.

C 3.

The cladding to the approved enclosure shall match, in terms of colour and profile, the cladding that exists at present on the building.

I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular No 31/07 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer)

Decision Made: Permitted

Date: ................................................................................................................................................................................. 26/2/09

Signed: .................................................................................................................................................................................

Senior Planning Officer