**Document:** Planning Officer Report **Application:** 11/01611/C — Additional use of church hall as a playgroup **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2012-02-13 **Parish:** Braddan **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/1965-union-mills-union-mills-methodist/documents/1261054 --- # Planning Officer Report Case Officer: Mr Ian Brooks Photo Taken: Site Visit: Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation ## Officer's Report ### The Site 1. The application site is Union Mills Methodist Church located on the western side of Strang Road. The site is zoned as predominantly residential in the Braddan Parish District Local Plan 1991. ### Proposed Development 2. The application seeks planning permission for an additional use of the church hall as a playgroup. 3. The playgroup facility would be for 2-4 year olds. The maximum number of children to be taken in would be 16 children. The opening time would be 9.15am to 12.15pm. ### Planning Status And Relevant Policies 4. Within the adopted Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007, the following policies are considered to be relevant in the determination of this application: General Policy 2 and Community Policy 2 5. Community Policy 2 states that "New community facilities should be located to serve the local population and be accessible to non-car users, and should where possible re-use existing vacant or underused buildings. ### Planning History 6. There have been previous planning application on the site which are as follows: 10/00662/B – Alterations and erection of an extension – granted 07/00514/B – Creation of porch, disabled W.C and ramp – granted 98/02252/B – Creation of car park to rear of Union Mills Methodist Church – granted ### Representations 7. Braddan Parish Commissioners have not objected to the application 8. Highways Division of the Department of Infrastructure do not oppose the application. ### Assessment 9. The plans show a proposed extension to the rear of the building. However, it should be noted the extension has been built under planning permission 10/00662/B. [Table omitted in markdown export] 10. It is not uncommon to find such a use within a church hall. The proposal makes use of an existing building, located within in an existing village centre. This is a sustainable location for the use. 11. The site has a large car park to the rear of the building so as to allow children to be dropped off. The Highways Division have not objected to the proposal. It is considered the proposal would not be prejudicial to highway safety. ### Recommendation 12. It is recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions. ### Party Status 13. The local authority is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (c) and (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status. 14. The Highways Division is part of the Department of Infrastructure of which the planning authority is part of. As such, the Highways Division cannot be afforded party status in this instance. ### Recommendation **Recommended Decision:** Permitted **Date of Recommendation:** 04.01.2012 ### 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 additional use of a church hall as a playgroup as shown in the location plan, site plan and drawing number 21.1.10 date stamped 18th November 2011. I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control / Development Control Manager/ Senior Planning Officer. **Decision Made:** Permitted **Date:** 9 February 2012 Determining officer (delete as appropriate) Signed : ... Anthony Holmes Senior Planning Officer Signed : ... Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control Signed : ... Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer 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/1965-union-mills-union-mills-methodist/documents/1261054*