S9

Policy: S9 - Strategic Policy 9

The Area Plan and its role in the planning application process9

Development Briefs

A number of development briefs are set out in Chapter 12. These are included to provide additional guidance to support the decision making process on planning applications for specific sites. Those briefs included were the topic of discussion at the Public Inquiry and were finally shaped by the Inquiry Report. Development briefs provide direction on the expected use, design, layout and infrastructure requirements to be included in and addressed as part of development proposals. They may include general principles of good design as well as specific requirements on particular matters such as active travel. The development briefs are not intended to be exhaustive nor replace the requirements of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan. They are a useful means to guide:

1. proposers drafting planning applications;
2. the public and interested parties in understanding what to expect on a site allocated in the Plan; and
3. decision makers in assessing the merits of an application and how proposals comply with guidance set out in the Plan.

9 Table 5 is a summary only - see Part 2, S.10 (4) Town and County Planning Act 1999

Planning applications are determined having regard to:

the provisions of the development plan, so far as material to the application, (the Area Plan for the East is part of the 'development plan') any relevant National Policy Directive, any relevant statement of planning policy (i.e. a Planning Policy Statement), such other considerations as may be specified... in a development order or a development procedure order, so far as material to the application; and all other material considerations.

Spatial Vision in the East

What is a Spatial Vision?

A vision is about thinking ahead and understanding how actions in the short term fit with long term goals. For many planning documents having a 'vision' helps to ensure consistency and direction. It shows that the future is being anticipated and it helps to instil confidence in policy approaches and proposals and may ultimately help to generate economic activity and public investment. The process of drafting any sort of planning vision is helped by having a bold and creative approach in terms of the opportunities that need to be provided, setting the scene for the places that we want to create and offering the best solutions in response to the evidence we have now.

The Spatial Vision for the East provides a framework to achieve sustainable development. It represents a forward planning approach by ensuring that development is directed to areas that have both the characteristics and the potential to sufficiently provide for those living, working, visiting and looking to invest in the east of the Island.

Implementing the Spatial Vision in the Isle of Man Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan provides an overarching Spatial Vision for the whole of the Isle of Man and it is important to align within it, the Spatial Vision for the East of the Island.

The Spatial Vision set out in the Strategic Plan states:

"The Island's communities will have become more sustainable, prosperous, safe, healthy and vibrant. People from all sections of society will have been provided with better access to a range and choice of homes, jobs and services. This will have been achieved in ways that reduce the impact of society on the environment, improve the quality of design and the built environment and enhance the Island's natural environment and heritage assets."

It continues:

"In the Douglas and the East Area the focus of development will continue to be in and around Douglas. The current policy of constraining further greenfield development has aided the process of regeneration within the existing urban area. In terms of the Island Spatial Strategy (ISS) for Douglas and the East, the key elements are:

• continued regeneration within Douglas, particularly around the Promenades and Quayside and Douglas Regeneration Area to create further housing, employment, retail and leisure opportunities;
• maintaining the International Shipping Gateway role of Douglas Harbour and;
• continued policy of urban containment with the new Area Plan for the East examining the issue of maintaining the distinctive character of the various settlements."

Shaping the Vision for the East