31 October 2008 · Planning Committee
Unit 7a, Middle River Industrial Estate, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 1al
The site is Unit 7A within Middle River Industrial Estate, an area zoned for industrial use in the Douglas Local Plan 1998. The proposal involved changing the existing warehouse/light industrial unit to a retail outlet for electrical goods including televisions, fridge freezers, ovens, printers, washing machines, tumbl…
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The Planning Committee refused the application because it contravened Business Policy 5 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007, as the electrical goods (televisions, fridge freezers, ovens, printers, …
General Policy 2
Listed as relevant but not specifically assessed in the report. No details on requirements or application provided.
Business Policy 5
Requires on industrial land only industrial/storage/distribution uses; retailing permitted only if goods too bulky for town centre or produced on-site, and no detriment to town centre vitality/viability. Officer tested goods (e.g. TVs, fridges) and found them sellable in town centre; small retail area still deemed to harm Douglas vitality. Examples of bulky goods (cars, builders' materials) not matched.
Business Policy 10
Retail only in town/village centres, except neighbourhood shops or Policy 5 cases. Site not in centre, so reliant on BP5 exceptions which failed; proposal therefore non-compliant.
No objection
No objection
Standard comments; applicant advised to contact Fire Safety Department
Douglas Borough no objection; Manx Electricity Authority objects due to zoning conflict and parking issues; Department of Transport do not oppose; Fire and Rescue Service advises contacting Fire Safety Department.
Key concern: zoning conflict with industrial use and insufficient parking
Douglas Borough Council
No ObjectionDouglas Corporation have no objection to the proposals listed below.
Manx Electricity Authority
Objectionthe Authority objects to the proposed change from Light Industrial to Trade Electrical Goods Outlet; we would expect DOLGE to uphold the present zoning arrangements
Department of Transport
No ObjectionDo not oppose
Isle of Man Fire And Rescue Service
No CommentApplicant is advised to contact the Fire Safety Department in order to discuss the general fire precautions.
Conditions requested: Applicant is advised to contact the Fire Safety Department in order to discuss the general fire precautions
The original application 08/01277/C for change of use of an existing warehouse/light industrial unit to a trade electrical goods outlet was refused. The applicant, Electrical Cash And Carry, appealed the decision on or before 20th November 2008, requesting written representations procedure. Administrative notices were sent to parties including the appellant's agent Dave Luton Design, Highways Division, and Manx Electricity Authority. The appeal progressed to the stage of requesting council's statement of case by 17 December 2008. On 5th May 2009, the appellant withdrew the appeal, allowing the original refusal to stand.
Precedent Value
This appeal sets no planning precedent as it was withdrawn prior to inspector consideration. Future applicants should ensure commitment to full appeal process before lodging to avoid wasted administrative effort.
