Officer Report

Application No.: 18/00416/B Applicant: Department of Education, Sports & Culture Proposal: Erection of a metal garden shed for use of the Horticultural students Site Address: University College Isle of Man Homefield Road Douglas Isle of Man IM2 6RB Case Officer : Mr Chris Balmer Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 04.06.2018 _________________________________________________________________

Conditions and Notes for Approval

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions C 1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.

Reason: To comply with article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.

Plans/Drawings/Information:

This approval relates to the submitted documents and drawings reference number 37/2017/01 all received on 20th April 2018. _______________________________________________________________ Interested Person Status – Additional Persons None _____________________________________________________________________________

Officer’s Report

1.0 SITE - 1.1 The application site is the curtilage of University College Isle Of Man, Homefield Road, Douglas. The site which is significant in size also encompasses a significant detached building

which accommodates the University College, a number of car parks and areas of green space, namely to the northern most corner of the site and western part of the site.

2.0 PLANNING POLICIES - 2.1 In terms of local plan policy, the application site is within an area recognised as being within an area of "Building for Civic, Cultural & Other Special Use (Education) under the Douglas Local Plan. The site is not within a Conservation Area. - 2.2 Due to the zoning of the site and the proposed works the following policy is most relevant in the determination of the application:- - 2.3 General Policy 2 states: "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."

3.0 PLANNING HISTORY - 3.1 There have been a number of previous planning applications made on this site; however, none are considered relevant to the determination of this proposal.

4.0 PROPOSAL - 4.1 The application seeks approval for erection of a metal garden shed for use of the Horticultural students. The building is constructed in metal dark green sheeting with pitched roof, appearing as a domestic shed. The summerhouse has a width of 2.4 metres, a depth of 1.8 metres.

5.0 REPRESENTATIONS - 5.1 Douglas Council have no objection (22.05.2018). - 5.2 Highway Services comment there is no highways implications (17.05.2018).

6.0 ASSESSMENT - 6.1 The key issues relate to the potential visual impact upon the street scene and potential impact upon neighbouring amenities.

• Potential visual impact upon the street scene
• 6.2 The proposal located essentially to the rear of the site, behind the main building and mature landscaping to the boundaries of the site, will all ensure the appearance of the summerhouse would be very limited. Furthermore, the design, form, size and finish are considered to be appropriate within this site. Accordingly, it is considered the proposal would comply with General Policy 2 from this respect. Potential impact upon neighbouring amenities
• 6.3 the small scale, height and design of the shed and distance to neighbouring properties would ensure the impact of the proposal would have little or no impact upon neighbouring amenities. Accordingly, it is considered the proposal would comply with General Policy 2 from this respect.

7.0 CONCLUSION - 7.1 Overall, it is considered the proposal would comply with the relevant policies of the Isle Of Man Strategic Plan therefore it is recommended that the application be approved.

8.0 INTERESTED PERSON STATUS - 8.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No 2) Order 2013 (Article 6(4), the following persons are automatically interested persons:

• (a) The applicant, or if there is one, the applicant's agent;
• (b) The owner and the occupier of any land that is the subject of the application or any other person in whose interest the land becomes vested;
• (c) Any Government Department that has made written submissions relating to planning considerations with respect to the application that the Department considers material
• (d) Highway Services Division of Department of Infrastructure and
• (e) The local authority in whose district the land the subject of the application is situated.

8.2 The decision maker must determine:

• o whether any other comments from Government Departments (other than the Department of Infrastructure Highway Services Division) are material; and o whether there are other persons to those listed in Article 6(4) who should be given Interested Person Status.

I can confirm that this decision has been made by the Director of Planning and Building Control in accordance with the authority afforded to that Officer by the appropriate DEFA Delegation.

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 12.06.2018 Determining officer Signed : J CHANCE Jennifer Chance Director of Planning and Building Control

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