**Document:** Officer Report Recommendation **Application:** 11/01426/B — Installation of replacement windows and door to shopfront **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2011-11-22 **Parish:** Lezayre **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/1720-lezayre-shop-26-parliament-street-windows-replacement/documents/1256640 --- # Officer Report Recommendation Case Officer: Miss S E Corlett Photo Taken: Site Visit: Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation ## Officer's Report ### The Site 1. The site is the curtilage of an existing shop unit on the northern side of Parliament Street in the centre of Ramsey. The property is a mid-terraced property with three storeys of accommodation: on the ground floor is a shop unit with a central door set back from the highway and with a step up alongside the footway. Above this is a flat. The ground floor has almost full height windows with a short rendered wall underneath and each side is subdivided into sixteen squares. The windows then turn into the entrance to the shop where they continue the square glazing pattern. 2. The first floor has long sliding sash windows with a central vertical glazing bar: the windows in the floor above are plastic framed casements with a top third bottom two thirds split with the bottom part opening outward and with internal plastic glazing strips. 3. The shop presently sells and repairs computers and computer systems. The shopfront is painted dark blue with basic signage across the top of the windows and door. ### The Proposal 4. Proposed is the replacement of the shopfront, door and entrance. The glazing pattern will be replaced by full length single lights with hardwood frames and the step will be set back into the entrance next to the call bell. Whilst there is still a step, there is now space for a wheelchair user to be able to move into the entrance out of the way of other users of the footway and to be able to manoeuvre up the step in the shelter and where there is a call bell so that staff within the shop may be able to respond if an unassisted wheelchair user or someone with limited mobility and no assistance, requires help getting into the shop. There is insufficient space for a ramp of appropriate gradient to be installed. 5. The new door is a plain version of what is already in place. ### Planning Policy 6. The site lies within an area of Mixed Use on the Ramsey Local Plan of 1999. The site also lies within Ramsey's Conservation Area. 7. As such the appropriate policies are General Policy 2, of which the following is relevant: [Table omitted in markdown export] "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: b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the space around them; c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; 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; m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them." 8. Also, Environment Policy 35 is applicable which states: "Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character of appearance of the area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development". ### Planning History 9. Planning permission was sought and granted for the creation of a separate access to the flat above under PA 00/0302. ### Representations 10. There are no representations on the file at the time of writing. ### Assessment 11. The proposed changes will remove a shop front which is probably not original and will introduce a simpler form of glazing more akin to the original shopfronts in the town. The changes to the entrance will make the property more accessible to disabled persons or those with limited mobility with no detrimental impact on the character or appearance of the property or the Conservation Area in which the site lies. ### Party Status 12. The local authority, Ramsey Town Commissioners are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status. ### Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 14.11.2011 ### Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal ## O : 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 permission relates to the replacement of the existing shopfront and entrance as shown in drawings PA 01, PA 02 and PA 03 all received on 13th October, 2011. I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control / Development Control Manager. Decision Made : Permitted Date : 21 November 2011 Signed: Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control OR Signed: Jennifer Chance Development Control Manager --- *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/1720-lezayre-shop-26-parliament-street-windows-replacement/documents/1256640*