**Document:** Planning Report and Recommendations **Application:** 09/01846/B — Conversion of existing attic space to office accommodation and creation of additional parking **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2010-02-15 **Parish:** Braddan **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/64239-braddan-fort-anne-offices-conversion/documents/1392803 --- # Planning Report and Recommendations **Application No.:** 09/01846/B **Applicant:** Dohle (IOM) Ltd **Proposal:** Conversion of existing attic space to office accommodation and creation of additional parking **Site Address:** Fort Anne Offices South Quay Douglas Isle Of Man IM1 5PD ### Considerations Case Officer : Ms Henrietta Hopkins **Expected Decision Level:** Senior Planning Officer ### Written Representations ### Consultations Consultee : Highways Division Notes: Do not oppose Consultee : Douglas Corporation Notes: no objection. Consultee : Drainage Division Notes: No objection in principle subject to:- ### Officer's Report ### The Site The property subject of the application relates to Fort Ann Offices located off South Quay, Douglas. ### The Proposal The applicant seeks planning permission to convert the existing attic into a storage area for offices; install Velux roof lights on the Mansard roof slopes; and Coxdome rooflight to the upper mansard. The applicant also proposes 6 additional surface parking spaces. ### Assessment The application site is located as 'Offices' in the Douglas Local Plan 1998. The Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 contains policies which are considered specifically material to the determination of the application. General Policy 2 states the following: "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 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 possibly 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 the necessary services; k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; I) 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." ## Planning History 95/00190/A - Approval in principle for office and apartment development with associated garaging and parking, site of Former Fort Anne Hotel - Approved at appeal - 95/00190/A (20th March 1996) 96/01607/B - Erection of office corporate headquarters with residential accommodation and associated car parking - Permitted (19th November 1996) 98/00472/B - Creation of entrance to Fort Anne including gates and statue - Permitted (9th July 1998) 97/00503/B - Erection of a 3 level car park, (amendments to previous approval) - Permitted (21st August 1997) ### Representations Department of Transport has raised no objection to the proposed development. The Drainage Division has raised no objection in principle to the proposed development. Douglas Corporation has raised no objection to the proposed development. ### Assessment The application site is located as 'Offices' under the Douglas Local Plan 1998. Given the nature of the proposed development it is therefore appropriate to assess the proposal against the policies identified earlier within the report (i.e. General Policy 2 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007). It is considered that the conversion of the attic space with the insertion of roof lights to the south and north elevation will not have a detrimental impact upon the character of the building or surrounding area. The rooflights will not be highly visible from Head Road or South Quay due to the topography of the building, landscaping and the pitch of the roof. The 6 additional parking spaces will be located to the rear (south) elevation of the building. It is considered that the parking area will not have a detrimental impact on the existing building and the Department of Transport have raised no objection to the proposal as it will not cause any traffic management, parking or road safety implications. **RECOMMENDATION** For these reasons it is considered that the proposed development is acceptable and it is recommended that the application be permitted. **PARTY STATUS** It is considered that the following parties, who submitted comments accord with the requirements of Planning Circular 1/06 and are therefore, afforded Interested Party Status: - Department of Transport and Drainage Division - Douglas Corporation **Recommendation** **Recommended Decision:** Permitted **Date of Recommendation:** 27.01.2010 **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 development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice. ## **C 2.** This approval relates to the submitted Drawing Nos. 09/2290/01, 02, 03 received on 11th November, 2009. 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:** .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. --- *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/64239-braddan-fort-anne-offices-conversion/documents/1392803*