**Document:** Officer Planning Report Recommendation **Application:** 10/00001/C — Change of use from car showroom to office accommodation **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2010-02-25 **Parish:** Braddan **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/35767-braddan-showroom-woodside-house-change-of-use/documents/1346613 --- # Officer Planning Report Recommendation ## Planning Report And Recommendations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Considerations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Written Representations ### Consultations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Officer's Report #### The Application Site And Planning Application The application site comprises of a building that is located in Tromode Business Park in Braddan. The planning application seeks approval for the change of use of the building from a car showroom to office accommodation. #### Planning History The application site has been the subject of a number of previous planning applications including the granting of approval as use as a car showroom in 2000 through 00/00331/C. #### Representations Braddan Parish Commissioners have no objections to the planning application. The Department of Transport Highways Division do not oppose the planning application. #### Planning Policy In terms of local plan land use, the application site is located within a wider area of land that is designated as predominantly industrial use under the Braddan Parish District Local Plan. In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 contains one policy that is considered specifically material to the assessment of this current planning application. General Policy 2 states: "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." ## ASSESSMENT The planning application seeks approval for the change of use of the building from a car showroom to office accommodation. The application was the subject of pre-application discussion with the applicant. Whilst the application site and surrounding area is designated as predominantly industrial use it can be seen that the area contains a significant number of uses that would not necessarily be considered truly industrial. Indeed, the existing use of the building as a car showroom is not industrial. Taking these existing uses into account it is suggested that land use designation, which was set in 1991, is somewhat out of date and does not give a true reflection of the land use. The office use and nature of the business proposed by the applicant does not rely on members of the public calling ad hoc to the building and is therefore demonstrably different to an office use such as a legal practice, etc. It is understood that any visitors to the building would normally be by appointment only, with the majority of activity being staff members undertaking design work within the building. In this respect the proposed use is not dissimilar to the operation of Mannin Media or the training centre building within close proximity. On that basis it is concluded that the proposed use is acceptable. In terms of other issues to consider, the level of car parking provided with the building meets the requirement of the proposed use with a supply of overflow car parking within the surrounding area and the proposal does not harm public or private amenity. It is recommended that the planning application be approved. ## PARTY STATUS It is considered that the following parties that made representations to the planning application should be afforded interested party status: Braddan Parish Commissioners; and The Department of Transport Highways Division. --- **Recommendation** **Recommended Decision:** Permitted **Date of Recommendation:** 15.02.2010 --- **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 use must be taken up within four years of the date of this notice in order for this approval to remain valid after that time. ## **C 2.** This approval relates to drawing no.s HS/BC/LP1, HS/BC/SP1, HS/BC/SP1A, HS/BC/P1 and HS/BC/P2 date stamped the 8th January 2010. --- I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular No 09/09 Delegation of functions, 10/09 Delegation of Functions (Development Procedure), GC No 11/09 (Advertisements) and GC No 12/09 (Registered Buildings) all to the Senior Planning Officer **Decision Made :** Permitted **Date :** 18th January 2010 **Signed :** [Signature] Senior Planning Officer --- 15 February 2010 10/00001/C Page 2 of 2 --- *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/35767-braddan-showroom-woodside-house-change-of-use/documents/1346613*