**Document:** Officer Planning Report **Application:** 11/00168/B — Formation and operation of a public car park following the demolition of school building **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2011-04-05 **Parish:** Lezayre **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/520-lezayre-school-albert-road-demolition/documents/1243453 --- # Officer Planning Report ## Planning Report And Recommendations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Considerations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Written Representations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Consultations [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Officer's Report #### Site The site represents the existing curtilage of the Albert Road School, Albert Road, Ramsey, located on a corner plot with Albert Road to the north and Queens Pier Road to the southwest. Within the application site is the old Albert Road School building which is a large three storey detached property, which has been closed for a number of years since the opening of the new school within Ramsey. #### Proposal The application seeks approval for the formation and operation of a public car park following the demolition of school building. The proposed car park would be on a temporary basis for a maximum of three years. The car park would provide a total of 45 parking spaces (1 disabled space) which would be accessed via a new entrance/exit (western boundary of site) onto the one-way section of road, which links Albert Road and Queens Pier Road. Only approximately a third of the site would be used for car parking, while the remainder of the site which includes the footprint of existing school and eastern part of the site will remain unused. ### Land Use Zoing / Planning Policies The application site is within an area recognised as being an area of ‘Mixed Use’ under the Ramsey Local Plan Order 1998. The site is not within a Conservation Area. The following policies are therefore considered relevant in the consideration of this application: - Ramsey local Plan 1998 – Planning Circular 2/99; - The Isle of Man Strategic Plan (20th June 2007) ### “General Policy 2: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: - (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; - (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; - (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; - (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; - (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; - (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; - (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; - (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; - (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; - (j) can be provided with all necessary services; - (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; - (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; - (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and - (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption.” ### Planning History The previous planning applications are considered relevant in the assessment and determination of this application:- Formation of new vehicular access and car parking - 05/92310/B – APPROVED Installation of uPVC replacement windows and doors to all elevations - 03/01163/B – APPROVED Refurbishment of dining room and kitchen - 94/00580/B – APPROVED Alterations and upgrading of existing girls external toilets - 87/01592/B – APPROVED Alterations and upgrading of existing boys’ external toilets - 85/00105/B - APPROVED ## Representations The Ramsey Commissioners:- "No objection" Highways Division:- "No Objection" The owner/occupier of 12 Killeaba Mount, Ramsey has objected to the application which can be summarised as; entrance/exit on a busy narrow road; the pavement is the main crossing of members of the public to access the pedestrian crossing and additional vehicles may place danger on them; and the entrance/exit was not regularly used when the school was there. ## Assessment The starting point is the zoning of the site and whether the proposed use would comply with this zoning. As indicated the proposal is within an area of 'Mixed Use' therefore the proposal would comply with this use class. It is also important to note that the previous use of the site was as a school which has now ceased following the opening of the new school in Ramsey. Therefore the current site is current unused and unoccupied. The proposal would be open to members of the public and would provide car parking close to Ramsey Bus Station and to Ramsey Town Centre (shops & offices). It is considered the proposed use would be an appropriate use of the land, particularly on a temporary basis. In terms of the potential impacts upon the public highways the Highway Division had an initially concern regarding visibility splays when exiting the site. This issue has been address by a further submitted plan which indicates that the required splays can be provided without any alterations to the existing entrance/exit. The Highway Division no longer have concerns. In terms of potential impacts upon residential properties, it is considered given the distance from neighbouring properties and given the car park is not directly adjacent to any neighbouring property the proposal would not cause an significant impact upon residential amenities. It should be noted that the site was until recently used as a school which would have generated a significant amount of traffic to and around the site. Furthermore, as the area is perhaps one of the most trafficked part of Ramsey, it is considered comings and goings form the site would not give rise to significantly more passing vehicles than currently exists, therefore the potential impact upon residential amenities are not considered to be significant. ## Recommendation Overall, it is considered the proposal would comply with General Policy 2 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan and consequently the application is recommended for an approval. ## Party Status It is considered that the following meet the criteria of Government Circular 1/06 and should be afforded interested party status: Ramsey Commissioners The Department of Transport Highways and Traffic Division is now part of the Department of Infrastructure of which the planning authority is part. As such, the Highways and Traffic Division cannot be afforded party status in this instance. It is considered that the following do not meet the criteria of Government Circular 1/06 and should not be afforded interested party status: The owner/occupier of 12 Killeaba Mount, Ramsey ### Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 24.03.2011 ### 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 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 formation and operation of a public car park following the demolition of school building as proposed in the submitted documents and drawings 01, 08 and 08 REV 1 all received on 10th February 2011. I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to the Senior Planning Officer. Decision Made : Permitted Date: 4/4/11 Signed: [Signature] Senior Planning Officer --- *Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).* *Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/520-lezayre-school-albert-road-demolition/documents/1243453*