**Document:** Planning Officer Report **Application:** 13/90978/B — Erection of disabled access ramps **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2013-09-23 **Parish:** Rushen **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/4801-rushen-st-catherines-church-disabled-access-ramps/documents/1293497 --- # Planning Officer Report ### Officer's Report [Table omitted in markdown export] #### 1.0 The Site 1.1 The application site is the curtilage of St Catherine's Church Hall and St Catherine's Church which is situated on the corner of Church Road and the Promenade in Port Erin. The Church Hall is orientated gable end on to the road and is adjacent to St Catherine's Church. The site is in a prominent location on the corner plot. #### 2.0 The Proposal 2.1 The application seeks approval for the construction of a ramp to the front of the church hall and also to the west end of the church. Both ramps would have steel hand rails for safety. #### 3.0 Planning History 3.1 The previous applications are not considered to be specifically material in the assessment of the current application. #### 4.0 Development Plan Policies 4.1 The application site is within an area zoned as "Mixed Use" identified on the Area Plan for the South 2013, it is also within the Proposed Conservation Area. Given the nature of the application it is appropriate to consider General Policy 2 and Environment Policy 35 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (20th June 2007). #### 4.2 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: 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; g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality. #### 4.3 Environment Policy 35 Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development. ## 5.0 Consultations 5.1 Port Erin Commissioners support the application 5.2 Highways Division do not oppose this application as it has no traffic management, parking or road safety implications. #### 6.0 Assessment 6.1 The application seeks approval for the construction of access ramps and steel hand rails. The main issue to consider in the assessment of the application is the impact upon the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. 6.2 The proposed access ramps are considered to be a modest addition to the front of the church and also to the church hall. The ramps would be fairly low and therefore would not be overly prominent within the street scene. 6.3 The railings would be galvanised steel and would be fairly simple in terms of the design. The railings would not be erected in front of the doorway to either the church or church hall. Given that the railings would not obstruct the entrance it is considered that the proposal would not adversely affect the character and appearance of the church, church hall and the setting in general. 6.4 The Conservation Officer has indicated that he is content with the proposals as submitted. 6.5 For the above reasons the application is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for approval. #### 7.0 Party Status 7.1 The local authority is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2013, paragraph 6 (4) (e), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status. 7.2 The Highways Division of the Department of Infrastructure is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2013, paragraph 6 (4) (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status. ### Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of 20.09.2013 Recommendation: ### Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal ### C : Conditions for approval
N : Notes attached to conditions
R : Reasons for refusal
0 : Notes attached to refusals The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice. C 2. The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in full accordance with the following plans location plan and 1 received on 19th August 2013. 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 : 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/4801-rushen-st-catherines-church-disabled-access-ramps/documents/1293497*