16 January 2018 · Committee
Offices Above, 67, Strand Street, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 2en
Permission was granted for the conversion of the upper floors of a three-storey building at 67 Strand Street, Douglas, from office accommodation into four residential units. The building sits on a corner plot with frontages onto both Strand Street and Market Street. The ground floor is in retail use and was not affected by this proposal. The officer recommended approval, and the application was decided by committee on 16 January 2018. The main planning issues examined were whether residential use was acceptable in principle at this location, the effect on highway safety and parking, and the quality of amenity that future residents would experience.
The application was permitted by committee on 16 January 2018. The officer recommended approval, and the key planning issues considered were whether residential use was appropriate for the site, the impact on highway safety and parking, and the standard of amenity for future residents.
General Policy 2
Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan
General Policy 2: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; (j) can be provided with all necessary services; (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption. 6.3 Development outside of areas zoned for development
Housing Policy 17
The conversion of buildings into flats will generally be permitted in residential areas
Housing Policy 17: The conversion of buildings into flats will generally be permitted in residential areas provided that: (a) adequate space can be provided for clothes -drying, refuse storage, general amenity, and, if practical, car-parking; (b) the flats created will have a pleasant clear outlook, particularly from the principal rooms and (c) if possible, this involves the creation of parking on site or as part of an overall traffic management strategy for the area. 8.13.4 In recent years, interest has grown in the development of residential dwellings from redundant commercial space, primarily above shops. In the United Kingdom, inspira tion for such development came from the LOTS initiative (Living Over The Shop) started in 1989 and the FOS programme (Flats Over the Shop), set up in 1991. The Department generally supports the conversion of redundant storage space above shops (which are often outside of residential areas), into residential development unless the occupants would suffer adverse noise, general disturbance or loss of residential amenity from other land uses. 8.14 Loss of Housing 8.14.1 In the current housing situation, the Department is concerned to ensure that there is no unwarranted loss of existing housing which is fit for habitation or could be made so at reasonable cost.
Alterations to front facade and internal layout to create two storey curtain walling
relevant
Change of use of building society to retail outlet
relevant
Change of use to ground floor building society branch and first, second and third floor office accommodation
relevant
Refurbishment and extensions to form shop with office accommodation above
relevant
Approval in principle for conversion of 3-storey building into retail/office unit, amusement centre
relevant
