**Document:** Officer Planning Report
**Application:** 07/00121/B — Installation of two handrails to entrance steps
**Decision:** Permitted
**Decision Date:** 2007-05-08
**Parish:** Braddan
**Document Type:** report / officer_report
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/82256-braddan-33-athol-street-two-handrails-entrance/documents/1487839

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# Officer Planning Report

## Planning Report And Recommendations [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Considerations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Written Representations ### Consultations

### Officer's Report

#### The Site

The site represents the curtilage of the offices of Dickinson Cruickshank and Co, situated on the south eastern side of Athol Street. The property, number 33 sits alongside numbers 35 and 37, Athol Street which are recently Registered buildings (RB 231) although there has been an appeal against Registration for number 37 (17.4.07) Athol Street is also presently being considered for Conservation Area status which would include this site.

The building is a relatively modern one in an otherwise mixed and older streetscene. This is one of the plainer buildings.

#### Planning Status

The site lies within an area designated on the Douglas Local Plan of 1998 as Predominantly Offices.

#### Planning History

Despite there being marked "none" as details of previous planning applications, there has been a very relevant and very recent previous application for the creation of a ramp for disabled customers and steps. This was refused at appeal for reasons relating to the safety of those using the footway as the proposed ramp would create a restricted width of footway for some distance in order to achieve a

satisfactory incline for access into 33, Athol Street. In summary the Inspector concluded that "Athol Street carries such a density of pedestrian and traffic flows that pedestrian footway widths above the minimum standard should be provided at all times and local obstructions to the free and safe movement of pedestrians etc. should not be introduced" (his paragraph 23).

### The Proposal

Now proposed is the installation of a handrail in the centre of the stepped entrance. Whilst this does not provide a ramped access to the ground floor entrance, it provides a handrail which will make access easier for those with any sort of disability. The handrail will not project any further into the highway. Also proposed is the installation of coping features on top of the the wall at ground floor level.

### Assessment

The proposed works make only a limited impact on the appearance of the building, will assist access and will not impair pedestrian flow alongside and should be permitted.

### Party Status

The Department of Transport and the local authority are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (c) and (d), considered "interested persons" and as such should be afforded party status.

The Disability Access Officer recommends the use of distinguishing colour for the handrail to assist the visually impaired. This is should be addressed by way of a note. The Disability Access Officer should be afforded party status in this instance as access for the disabled is a material consideration.

### Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 24.04.2007

### 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 installation of handrails and copings to the existing walling all as shown in drawing reference C100 received on 23rd January, 2007.

N 1. The Disability Access Officer recommends that the handrails should be finished in a colour which contrasts with the background, to assist those with a visual impairment.

I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular Nos 44/05 (Delegation of Functions to Director of Planning and Building Control) and 47/05 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer)

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 11/5/07

Signed : M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control

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*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/82256-braddan-33-athol-street-two-handrails-entrance/documents/1487839*