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The Application proposes the change of use of an existing retail unit to office accommodation at 19 Victoria Street, Douglas. The property is part of a row of four storey terraced properties which are located within centre of Douglas. The site is zoned under the Douglas Local Plan Order 1998 as an area of predominantly office use.
The premises are situated within a largely commercial area. The upper floors of both buildings and the buildings opposite are offices. The buildings on the other side of number 19 are a coffee lounge and Internet Café, both within the ground floor. The property which has an existing retail use is currently sandwiched between to bars either side at 23-21 & 17 Victoria Street. The majority of properties to the east of the site along Victoria Street are commercial uses.
The proposed seeks Planning Approval for the change of use, from a retail unit into office accommodation. The applicant proposes an employment agency which will employ a total of three staff.
The property has benefited from a recent Planning Approval for the Conversion of a shop and change of use including new frontage for extension to licensed premises (04/02495/B).
The Public Works Committee of Douglas Corporation has considered the application and has no objection.
The Department of Transport have objected to the application on the grounds that there is insufficient information to evaluate the application in respect of the parking arrangements.
The Water Authority has expressed an interest and have request that a condition be added to an approval. The Disability Access office has commented on a number of Access requirements for the property. We have received no privately written representations objecting to the application.
The applicant has responded to the objection from the Department of Transport, and has stated that the proposed employment agency will employing around 3 staff who already have their own parking spaces from there original tenancy close to the site. The applicant also has written that the agency will attract less clients / customers than the existing retail unit, and that there are a number disc parking and car parks around Fort Street (rear of site).
The main issue, is regarding the parking provisions for the site, which currently does not provide any off street parking spaces, which is the same situation with most if not all the properties along Victoria Street and the surrounding area. The property is located within the centre of Douglas which does benefit from public transport links to the whole Island, especially as the main bus terminal is just south of the site a minutes walk away. The applicant has stated that the existing three staff benefit presently from three parking provisions from their previous tenancy in the area.
The proposal to change the unit back to use for office accommodation would seem to be acceptable as the property is located in a area zoned for office use. The issue of parking would also seem to be
adequate, due to the existing three car parking provisions, car park provisions which are within close proximity and the accessibility of public transport via the bus terminal to the south of the site.
For these reasons the application would seem to be appropriate in this location and therefore my recommendation is for an approval.
I would recommend that the following parties are afforded party status:
Recommended Decision: Permitted
Date of Recommendation: 31.01.2006
C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal
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 the submitted documents which are date-stamped 9th November 2005..
C 3. Any alterations to the exterior of the building (including the display of signage) must form the subject of a separate Application to the Department. However if the façade of the shop is only going to be painted no Planning Application would be required.
N 1. Applicant to consult with the Fire Safety Department with regard to the fire precautions within the premises.
N 2. For a change in the supply to a premises (domestic or Commercial) the applicant should contact the IoMWA Byelaws Inspector, tel. 69 59 57.
N 3.
The applicant is advised to consult Disability Access Office with regard to the needs of disabled users within the building.
I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular Nos 44/05 (Delegation of Functions to Director of Planning and Building Control) and 47/05 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer)
Decision Made : Permitted Date: 2/2/06
Signed: M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control
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