8 June 2004 · Planning Committee (on review)
Unit 12 Block D, Springham Park, Spring Valley Industrial Estate, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 2qu
The proposal sought permission to use Unit 11, New Block D, Spring Valley Industrial Estate, Douglas, for an internet book distribution business (75% of operations) with a retail showroom (25% of business) in a warehouse-style layout with shelving, pick-and-pack area, and office.
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The Planning Committee initially approved the application considering the primary internet distribution use compatible with industrial zoning and DTI support, with conditions to personalise permission…
No retail developments permitted in Braddan except neighbourhood shops
Prohibits retail in parish except local needs; officer assessed proposal's retail as conflicting since books serve wider market and compete with town centre, not neighbourhood.
No retail development or conversion in industrial areas
Strict ban on retail in industrial estates; exceptions in past for bulky goods (e.g. furniture) or site-produced items, but books neither bulky nor produced on site.
Retailing in Industrial Areas
Permits retail if items too bulky for town centre or produced on site, with no detriment to town centre; books sellable in town centre (e.g. Ottaker's), no production, potential viability harm.
Strategic Policy 8
Requires retail in zoned centres except neighbourhood shops; industrial retail only per Business Policy 4 exceptions not met here.
Industrial land retailing exceptions
Allows if bulky/not town-centre suitable or site-produced without town centre detriment; books fail as high street compatible.
Use limited to internet distribution with some retail
This approval relates to the use of Unit 11 as an Internet book distribution business involving the picking and packing of books for onward transmission through the post with some retail sales as described in the applicant's letter of 29th March, 2004.
Time limit for implementation
The use must be taken up within four years of the date of this notice in order for this approval to remain valid after that time.
Personal to applicant
This permission is personal to and may be exercised only by Mr. N.P. Croydon in his capacity as Director of Island Books Ltd and only for the purposes described in condition 1 above.
Supports internet book business as e-commerce; warehousing suitable for industrial estate; close to Post Office; retail minor (13-29%)
no objection; no adverse traffic impacts
