**Document:** Planning Officer Report 07/01609/D **Application:** 07/01609/D — Retention of advertising signage on side elevation **Decision:** Refused **Decision Date:** 2007-11-12 **Parish:** Braddan **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/84004-braddan-16-peel/documents/1511811 --- # Planning Officer Report 07/01609/D [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Considerations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Written Representations ### Consultations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Officer's Report #### The Site The site represents the three-storey end terrace property 16 Peel Road Douglas. The site is relatively prominent, particularly when viewed travelling down Peel Road where the side elevation can be seen in its entirety. #### Planning Status The site is located within an area identified as being Predominantly Offices by the Douglas Local Plan Order 1998. The site is not within a conservation area however the property and many surrounding buildings were built before 1921. General Policies 6 and 7 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan are considered to be relevant to this proposal: General Policy 6 states: 'Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements will be permitted on the site or building to which they relate provided they: - (a) are of a high standard of design and materials and relate well to the building and site on which they are to be displayed; - (b) are in keeping with and do not detract from the surrounding area; and - (c) are located so as not to cause a highway safety hazard.' [Table omitted in markdown export] General Policy 7 states: 'Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements on sites or buildings other than those to which they relate will not generally be permitted.' ### Planning History Whilst there have been previously submitted planning applications relating to this property, none are considered to be specifically relevant to this proposal. There are however previous planning applications relating to similar to this which relate to properties within the vicinity of Peel Road. These include: PA 06/00023/D which sought permission for the erection of advertising signage to Treger House 23 Circular Road Douglas. This application was refused by the Department with the reason for refusal stating: 'The positioning of the main signage is in an unacceptable location which would cause a detrimental impact upon the street scene and would possibly cause an unwanted precedent to the surrounding area.' This decision was the subject of an appeal (AP06/0079) which was dismissed with the initial decision of the Planning Authority being upheld. The Inspector, in making his recommendation, commented: 'I consider that the erection of the signage above the ground-floor fascia and particularly above the first-floor window sill would adversely affect the appearance of the building and the street scene by introducing a plethora of signs on this corner. I cannot accept that there is a need to advertise the business by having higher level signs which outweighs the necessity to preserve the appearance of the building in the street scene.' Planning application 07/00245/R sought retrospective permission for the retention of advertising signage on 32 Circular Road Douglas. This application was refused by the Planning Authority with the reason for refusal stating: 'The continued display of the advertisement on a prominent corner plot due to is size would be out of character within the locality and would be to the detrimental of the visual amenities of the street scene.' ### Representations The Department of Transport Highways Division indicates no objection to this proposal. Douglas Corporation does not oppose this application. We have received no privately written representations in relation to this planning application. ### The Proposal The proposal seeks retrospective planning permission for the retention of advertising signage on the side elevation of the building. The signage is described by the applicant as being constructed from plastic and although no dimensions are supplied, it is evident from both the submitted photograph and those from my site visit that the signage is of a considerable size, occupying a large area of wall space on the side elevation. The signage advertises the financial services of 'MAC Financial'. The application form states that 'MAC Financial' is the applicant with the corresponding address being 24 Hope Street Douglas. The proposal site is 16 Peel Road, the owner of which is stated as being 'Dayo LTD'. The advertising signage would therefore not appear to be located on the building to which it relates. ## Assessment The consideration of this proposal is to have regard to General Policies 6 and 7 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007. It is considered that the advertising signage is of a substantial size, not dissimilar to a 'billboard' type advertisement, representing an excessively dominant feature of the side elevation of the building. The sign is located above ground-floor level with the lowest point of the sign being above the sill of the first-floor window. This combination of size and location act to amplify the prominence of the signage to an unacceptable level. The design and use of materials of the sign are not considered to be of a sufficient quality that would be acceptable as an addition to the building. The signage is considered to represent an incongruous addition to the building that is out of character within the locality and would be to the detriment of the visual amenities of the street scene. Furthermore, the advertising signage would not appear to relate to the proposal site and as such is contrary to the provisions set out by General Policy 7. Notwithstanding the points made above, the case history relating to this type of application in and around this area sets a precedent for such applications and my conclusion is the same as that of the Inspector of AP06/0079 who stated: 'I cannot accept that there is a need to advertise the business by having higher level signs which outweighs the necessity to preserve the appearance of the building in the street scene.' For these reasons it is considered that the proposed signage is not acceptable and it is therefore recommended that the proposal be refused. ## 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 Highways Division Douglas Corporation ### Recommendation **Recommended Decision:** Refused **Date of Recommendation:** 29.10.2007 --- ### 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 R 1. The design, scale and positioning of the signage is in unacceptable in that it causes a detrimental impact upon the building and the street scene and would create an unwanted precedent for further such applications in the surrounding area. R.2. The advertising signage does not relate to the building on which it is displayed, contrary to the provisions of General Policy 7 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan. 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 : Refused Date : 6/11/07 Signed : M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control --- *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/84004-braddan-16-peel/documents/1511811*