Loading document...
The application site comprises of Douglas High School Old Boys Football Club’s ground on Blackberry Lane in Onchan.
The application seeks approval for the erection of signage at the entrance to the application site. The application is partially retrospective as the three posts to support the signage are already in place.
There are no previous applications that I consider specifically relevant to the assessment of this current application.
The Manx Electricity Authority makes no comment on the proposal but recommends that the applicant contacts them to discuss appropriate safety measures.
The owner and/or occupant of 2 Royal Terrace object to the proposal on the grounds that they question the need for the sign, that approval would set a precedent and that the sign is visually obtrusive.
The owners and/or occupants of Tremesare object to the proposal on the grounds that approval would be inappropriate and set a precedent.
Mr T Cringle, who writes via Manx Radio and does not advise of his address or relationship to the application site, objects to the proposal on the grounds that the sign would be detrimental to the semi-rural setting
The relevant local plan is the Onchan Local Plan. There are no policies within the accompanying Written Statement that I consider specifically relevant to the assessment of the proposal.
In terms of the assessment of the proposed signage I consider the main material consideration to be visual impact. Whilst I acknowledge that the proposed sign is quite tall it is set against existing and more recent planting. For that reason I am satisfied that the visual impact of the proposed signage will be acceptable.
With regards to comments concerning need I would suggest that it is only reasonable for an established football club to want signage to identify their ground. Whilst the proposed signage does contain an element of sponsorship advertising its primary function is to highlight the football ground and advise of upcoming fixtures. I do not consider need, or rather the lack of it, to be a valid reason for refusal.
I do not consider that approval of the proposed signage would set a precedent for further signage, either in this location or elsewhere. Further signage in this location may be unacceptable but it is role of subsequent applications to assess that. Each application has to be considered on its own individual merit.
Given scale of the proposal and that the posts are already in place I cannot understand the relevance of the comments from the Manx Electricity Authority.
I recommend that the planning application.
I consider that the following parties that made representations to the planning application meet the criteria of Government Circular 1/06 and should be afforded interested party status:
Manx Electricity Authority
I consider 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 owner and/or occupant of 2 Royal Terrace; The owners and/or occupants of Tremesare; and Mr T Cringle
Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 12.06.2006 Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal
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 drawing no. 01 date stamped the 30th March 2006.
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 : 12/11/05
Signed : M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control
Copyright in submitted documents remains with their authors. Request removal
View as Markdown