**Document:** Officer Planning Report **Application:** 07/02125/C — Change of use of first floor into a tattoo studio **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2007-12-24 **Parish:** German **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/84315-german-48-michael-change-of-use/documents/1516427 --- # Officer Planning Report [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 first floor of an existing building situated on the southern side of Michael Street, adjacent to Athol Place. The ground floor was until recently used as a sunbed centre and the upper floor as a beauty salon. Access to the property is from Michael Street and to get to the first floor, one passes through the ground floor unit to reach stairs which lead to the first floor. The proposed use relates to the rear part of the first floor which includes access to a toilet. #### Planning Status The site lies within an area designated on the Peel Local Plan of 1991 as Mixed Use. #### Planning History No applications have been submitted in respect of this site. [Table omitted in markdown export] ## The Proposal Proposed now is the use of the part of the first floor shown in the plans as a tattoo parlour. The applicant states that the premises will be operated between 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday. ## Representations Isle of Man Water Authority recommend a note relating to a change of supply. The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service recommends liaison regarding fire precautions. ## Assessment The Peel Local Plan encourages the use of the upper floors of properties in the Mixed Use area in the centre of town and advocates a flexible approach to the use of such premises, for residential, offices or retail. In this case, the proposed use is sui generis and does not fall cleanly into either a retail or office use but is a commercial operation well suited to a town centre location. Other similar premises on the Island are situated in the centre of Douglas (opposite Marks and Spencer) and on Broadway. The proposed use is specialist and will bring people to the centre of town who may not usually visit, which will boost the numbers of people using the town centre, which is to be encouraged. The use will not result in any adverse impact on either the building or those in adjacent properties. Whilst the applicant has suggested hours of opening, the proposed use will not create any adverse impact on neighbouring land users and as such, as the premises are situated within a commercial area and there is no restriction on the hours of operation of the unit below, it is not recommended that hours of opening are constrained by a planning condition. ## 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 Isle of Man Water Authority raise issues associated with the provision of a water supply, which are not material planning considerations and as such the Water Authority should not be afforded party status in this instance. The points raised by the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service are the responsibility of the Building Regulations and as such this party should not be afforded party status in this instance. ## Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 21.12.2007 ## 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 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 permission relates to the use of the first floor as shown in drawings 1 and 2 received on 16th April, 2007 as a tattoo parlour. 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. For a change in the water supply to premises (domestic or commercial) the applicant should contact the Isle of Man Water Authority Byelaws Inspector (Michael Karran), 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: 21/12/07 Signed: [Handwritten signature] 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/84315-german-48-michael-change-of-use/documents/1516427*