**Document:** Officer Planning Report **Application:** 07/01444/B — Alterations, creation of ground floor entrance to retail unit and creation of an apartment **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2007-09-18 **Parish:** Rushen **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/83795-rushen-9-station/documents/1509087 --- # Officer Planning Report ## Planning Report And Recommendations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Considerations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Written Representations ### Consultations [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Officer's Report #### The Site The site represents the curtilage of an existing commercial property which sits on the northern side of Station Road in the heart of Port Erin. The property is a four storey building with a two storey annex and a rear yard in which three cars may be parked. There is a rear lane accessed from Cherry Orchard Road. The premises were previously occupied by Port Erin Commissioners as their offices. #### Planning Status The site lies within an area designated as Mixed Use on the Port Erin Local Plan of 1990. The plan makes reference to retail being an appropriate use within the village centre as well as office use, particularly on upper floors where this would result in maintenance and refurbishment of these upper levels. It is recommended that office use proposals are accompanied by parking to a standard of 1 space per 50 square metres of floorspace, preferably provided on site. Parking for shops is recommended as space for loading and unloading and spaces for customers where possible. Parking for residential development is recommended as one and a half spaces per units but not universally applied, for example in town centre locations where it could be applied more flexibly. ### Planning History The following planning applications have been submitted in respect of this site: - PA 94/0539 - creation of new interview room - permitted - PA 97/0305 - erection of flagpole - permitted - PA 06/1027 - conversion of existing ground floor office to a retail unit - permitted. ### The Proposal Proposed now is the conversion of the top two floors to a two bedroomed apartment with the installation of a new dormer and rooflight in the rear pitch. The ground floor would remain as a shop and the first floor still offices. ### Representations The DAO recommends that doors and corridors and retail facilities should be accessible by disabled persons. This is the responsibility of the Building Regulations and there is no proposed change to the use of the ground floor as retail space. Port Erin Commissioners recommend that the application is permitted. The Isle of Man Water Authority recommend notes regarding the provision of water supplies to the building. The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service recommends consultation with respect to fire precautions. ### Assessment The proposed apartment within the building will provide a presence in the building when the office and retail uses are not operational, which should be encouraged. The apartment will also provide customers for local shops and the provision of a residential unit in the heart of the village, close to shops and services and the public transport network - a highly sustainable location. The new dormer will not generally be visible other than from properties in the rear lane, which are largely commercial. There will be at least 30m between the dormer and the rear of the property opposite the lane. The proposal will make good use of existing fabric with a certain degree of interchange in terms of the time of usage of the building and as such, flexibility in the use of the three parking spaces which are available to the property at the rear. ### 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, the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service and the Isle of Man Water Authority refer to matters which are dealt with by other legislation and as such these parties should not be afforded party status in this instance. ### Recommendation ## 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 permission relates to the creation of an apartment and the use of the remaining building for offices and a retail unit all as shown in drawings 33.1.07, 35.2.07 and the location plan all received on 16th July, 2007. N 1. PRIOR to the commencement of any works the applicant is advised to consult the Chief Fire Officer to ensure that adequate fire precautions are taken. N 2. The Applicant's attention is drawn to the recommendations of the Disability Access Officer, a copy of which is attached to this notice. N 3. For connections to Flats and Apartments the following apply - "Water Supply to Flats and Apartments - Regulations", and if applicable a "Form Of Undertaking In Respect Of Supply Pipes" will be required. Copies of these documents can be obtained from the Isle of Man Water Authority or alternatively by contacting the Isle of Man Water Authority Byelaws Inspector (Les Quayle on telephone 695957). 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: 14/09 Signed: [Handwritten signature] M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control 11 September 2007 07/01444/B Page 4 of 4 --- *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/83795-rushen-9-station/documents/1509087*