Officer Planning Report 07/00245/R

Planning Report And Recommendations {{table:159882}} {{table:159883}} ## Considerations {{table:159884}} ## Written Representations ## Consultations {{table:159885}} {{table:159886}}

Officer's Report

Site

• The application site is a three storey building located on a corner plot at the junction of Westmoreland Road and Circular Road.
• The building is currently a computer reseller/ IT consultants.
• The site is not located in a Conservation Area and nor is it a registered building.

Proposed Development

• The application is seeking express consent for the retention of a non-illuminated advertisement on the side elevation of the building.
• The sign is 12ft (3.7m) by 18 ft (5.5m)

Planning Status And Relevant Policies

• Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Douglas Local Plan) Order 1998.

PLANNING HISTORY

• None of relevance to the application.

REPRESENTATIONS

• Douglas Corporation does not object to the application.
• Highways Division of the Department of Transport do not object to the application.
• The MEA have commented that their cables are in the vicinity of the application site.

ASSESSMENT

• The Control of Advertisement Regulation 2005 states the planning authority can only consider the impact of the on amenity and public safety.
• The Highways Division of the Department of Transport do not oppose the continued display of the advertisement in this location. I therefore consider a refusal on highway safety grounds would be inappropriate.
• In respect of the visual amenities of the street scene, the application site is located on a prominent corner plot. I have concerns relating to the positioning of the main signage of the property on the side elevation of this building. There are a number of other businesses in the vicinity which have erected their main signage above their ground floor windows which are far more in keeping with the area. Barclays Banks adjacent to the property has benefited from an approval for the erection of a sign above their first floor windows, however this is a corporate badge which is rather modest in size and its design is of a high standard and therefore does not cause an adverse visual impact upon the street scene.
• The sign is excessively large and prominent due to its position on the building. The advertisement is out of character with the building and the street scene. The continued display of this advertisement would be detrimental to the visual amenities of the street scene.

RECOMMENDATION I therefore recommend that the application be refused for the above reasons.

PARTY STATUS The Department of Transport and the local authority are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (c) and (d), considered "interested persons" and as such should be afforded party status.

It is considered that all other parties who made representations to the planning application do not comply with the requirements of Planning Circular 1/06 – Determination of Interested Party Status and should not be afforded party status

Recommendation Recommended Decision: Refused Date of Recommendation: 14.05.2007

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. The continued display of the advertisement on a prominent corner plot due to is size would be out of character within the locality and would be to the detrimental of the visual amenities of the street scene.

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 : Refused Date : 15.5.07

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

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

• : Notes attached to refusals

R 1. The continued display of the advertisement on a prominent corner plot due to is size would be out of character within the locality and would be to the detrimental of the visual amenities of the street scene.

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 : Refused Date : 16/6/07

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

2) Please diary for enforcement officer to follow up (after decision becomes final. If not removed refer to C/Mn of PC with recommendation to prosecute

3) County letter refused ~~If not~~ must be removed within 28 days of letter no consider prosecution