3 February 2005 · Minister for Local Government and the Environment (following appeal inspector David Ward's report)
Crescent Leisure Centre, Central Promenade, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 4ll
The proposal involved clearing the site of the former Crescent Cinema (retaining and refurbishing its Art Deco faience facade) and Crescent Leisure Centre, replacing them with a 6-storey block of 164 apartments arranged around an internal courtyard, basement parking for 186 spaces, and landscaped forecourt areas on the…
Click a button above to find applications similar to this one.
See how this application compares to similar ones — policies, conditions, and outcomes side by side.
The inspector found the proposal's planning advantages—providing 164 much-needed housing units on brownfield land in a sustainable town centre location, regenerating an 'eyesore' site negative to the …
Douglas Local Plan - Residential development in mixed tourism/residential areas
Encourages residential in mixed zones; site designated mixed tourism/residential; proposal accords and directs housing from greenfield.
Douglas Local Plan - Parking standards
Requires 1.5 spaces/unit but allows reduction in town centres (D/CP/P7); 186 spaces proposed (~1.13/unit); highways content subject to conditions.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Demolition/renovation method statement
Prior to the commencement of any works, there must be submitted to and approved by the Planning Committee a method statement detailing the works of demolition, temporary support and renovation of the former Crescent Cinema; this statement should be prepared in consultation with the Department's Conservation Officer; the development must be undertaken in accordance with the approved statement.
Phasing scheme
Prior to the commencement of any works, there must be submitted to and approved by the Planning Committee a phasing scheme which includes the sequence of all building and engineering operations; particular regard should be had to the completion of the works to the former cinema and of the parking areas and the green spaces.
Materials approval
Prior to the commencement of any works, there must be submitted to and approved by the Planning Committee details of all architectural features (at a scale of 1:20 or better) and external finishes.
Refuse storage/collection
Prior to the commencement of any works, there must be submitted to and approved by the Planning Committee full details of the arrangements for the storage and collection of refuse. NOTE: These details should form the subject of consultation with the Douglas Corporation.
Parking availability
Prior to the occupation of any flat, there must be available for use at least one parking space for use by the occupants of that flat.
Access arrangements
The access arrangements from the promenade must form the subject of further consultation with the DoT; the amended plan(s) arising therefrom must be submitted to and approved by the Planning Committee prior to the construction of the accesses.
Underground services
All services including electricity and telephone where installed must be laid underground.
Approved plans
This approval relates to drawings numbered 2199/01-27, date-stamped 15th March 2004.
No objection subject to conditions on access, parking allocation, construction method
No objection, but concern on bin storage/collection and footpath access
Objection withdrawn after capacity upgrades
The original applications PA04/501/GB and PA04/1214/CON were initially approved by the Planning Committee but PA04/501/GB was refused on review due to loss of 'The Venue' as a unique live entertainment space impacting social well-being and tourism. The appellant argued the site suits residential use per Douglas Local Plan, loss of The Venue is minimal given alternatives and disturbances caused, design enhances the Conservation Area, and housing need justifies redevelopment while retaining/enhancing the cinema façade. The inspector found the housing provision, Conservation Area enhancement, and funding for façade preservation outweigh the loss of The Venue, which had low usage and caused disturbances; design respects context, alterations to Registered Building are necessary and exceptional for residential viability. The Minister accepted the inspector's recommendation to allow the appeals on 10 February 2006, granting planning permission subject to 9 conditions and confirming Registered Building consent with 4 conditions.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates exceptional community benefits (housing, Conservation enhancement) can override Registered Building presumptions if no viable use exists and funding secured; low-usage harmful facilities outweighed by regeneration even without policy retention mandate.
Inspector: David Ward