**Document:** Planning Officer Report **Application:** 12/00307/B — Demolish existing and erection of replacement extension to extend existing customer collection and posting accommodation with provision of access for persons with disability **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2012-04-13 **Parish:** Braddan **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/2444-braddan-postal-headquarters-replacement-demolition/documents/1267440 --- # Planning Officer Report ## Planning Officer Report And Recommendations [Table omitted in markdown export] 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 the post office headquarters, a modern building built within Spring Valley industrial estate on the left as one enters the estate from the western access. The building is a distinctive low profile sheeted building with yellow detailing on the soffits and fascias. The pedestrian entrance is roughly in the centre of the elevation which faces the estate road. There is a small porch through which entrants pass to access a modest waiting area with reception area. ### The Proposal 2. Proposed is the creation of a larger entrance area to provide a more spacious access and waiting area. The entrance will be expanded from 1.5m by 5.5m to 4m by 15.5m with an angled entrance and 2m wide entrance doors. The proposed change will not affect car parking or significant changes to the landscaping which has been introduced to separate the car parking at the front of the site, from the building and the pedestrian access. ### Planning Status And Policy 3. The site lies within an area of Predominantly Industrial use on the Braddan Parish Plan of 1991. 4. The use and development are consistent with this and as such the provisions of General Policy 2 of the Strategic Plan are applicable in this case as follows: "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; 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 adverse effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; j) can be provided with all necessary services". ## Planning History 5. The building was permitted in 1992 under PA 92/1324 after which there has been a number of applications for alterations and extensions, none of which are relevant to the consideration of this application. ## Representations 6. Braddan Parish Commissioners and Highways Division indicate that they do not oppose the application. 7. The Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority indicate that they wish to register an interest in the application. ## Assessment 8. The proposed works will result in easier and more convenient access for users of the building, more space to wait and manoeuvre with parcels will be a significant improvement in customer safety and convenience. The visual impact of the proposal would be to lose a small amount of landscaping behind the car parking spaces, which, when the spaces are occupied, is not publicly visible. 9. The application is recommended for approval. ## Party Status 10. The local authority, Braddan Parish 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. 11. 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. 12. The Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority do not raise any material planning consideration and as such should not be afforded party status in this case. ### Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 10.04.2012 ### 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 permission relates to the alterations and extension shown in drawings 01, 03, 04A, 05, 06A, 07, 08, 09 and 10 all received on 29th February, 2012. 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 : 13/4/12 ### Determining officer (delete as appropriate) Signed : O. Kamm Anthony Holmes Senior Planning Officer Signed : Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control 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/2444-braddan-postal-headquarters-replacement-demolition/documents/1267440*