Officer Planning Report Recommendations

Planning Report And Recommendations {{table:132493}} {{table:132494}} {{table:132495}} {{table:132496}} ### Considerations {{table:132497}} ### Written Representations ### Consultations {{table:132498}} {{table:132499}}

Officer's Report

The application site forms an area of land to the east of Vicarage Road, and at the head of the roundabout in the business park. The site has the benefit of an existing approval (PA 05/01686 refers) for an office building and this application seeks to amend the design of that building.

Proposed is a two storey building with Manx stone facing pillars to the front and rear elevations and significant expanses of rendered block work with masonry paint finish. The pitched roof would be finished with reconstituted slate roof, Redland Cambrian or similar and aluminium powder coated windows and insulated panels.

In PA 05/1686, the applicant stated that the site in the Business Park was a prestigious commercial location, and as such the building proposed at that time, would “make a positive contribution”. The building proposed at that time utilised significant areas of glazing, zinc cladding, Manx natural stonework and slate roof. In subsequent correspondence with the applicant in relation to the current application, the applicant stated that the building now proposed “is of an appropriate design for its location and will be a successful addition to the Isle of Man Business Park”.

The appearance of a development and its relationship with its surroundings are material considerations in the determination of a planning application. As such, and particularly in this prominent location in the business park, it is considered that the site warrants a landmark building that makes a statement through its design and the utilisation of materials in an assertive manner. It is considered that the proposal submitted is somewhat bland and uninspiring and represents generic business park architecture. Whilst this may be acceptable on other sites within the business park, the application site is located at the junction of the head of the entrance road to the park and the building will be clearly visible from the entrance road. As such, and in granting approval for the previously proposed building, it was anticipated that a building of a bold and contemporary design providing considerable presence, would be constructed in this location.

It is considered that the design of the building, its scale and massing is inappropriate in its context, this being a prominent site within the Isle of Man Business Park.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Refused

Date of Recommendation: 21.06.2006

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

R 1.

It is considered that the design, use of materials, scale and massing of the building is inappropriate for this prominent location within the Isle of Man Business Park.

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)

Signed : ... M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control