20 September 2018 · Committee
Unity Dance School, Switzerland Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 4ng
This application sought to remove condition 3 from an earlier planning permission (17/00851/C) for the Switzerland Gospel Hall on Switzerland Road, Douglas. That condition had restricted the days and hours during which the site could operate. The applicant asked for those restrictions to be lifted entirely. The site is a former place of worship with surrounding hardstanding, located on the inside of a hairpin bend at the end of Switzerland Road. The officer report identified the main planning issues as noise and traffic impacts on nearby residents, potential for anti-social behaviour, and highway safety including parking and emergency vehicle access. The application was permitted by committee on 20 September 2018, subject to four conditions.
The application was permitted by committee, subject to four conditions. It sought to remove a restriction on days and hours of operation that had been attached to an earlier permission for the site.
Spatial Policies 1 - 7
Strategic Plan (2016) directs development in accordance with a settlement hierarchy
General Policy 2
general principles against which to test the acceptability of development proposals
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
Community Policy 3
Development (including the change of use of existing premises) which results in the loss of a local community facility
Community Policy 3: Development (including the change of use of existing premises) which results in the loss of a local community facility (other than shops and public houses) will only be permitted if it can be demonstrated that it is no longer practical or desirable to use the facility for its existing use or another use likely to benefit the local community. 10.8 Retention of Existing Local Shops and Public Houses The loss of facilities such as neighbourhood shops in towns and or village shops and public houses reduces customer choice and can also necessitate people travelling further to meet their needs. This is a particular problem in rural areas where village sh ops, post offices and public houses can be central to village life. It would be preferable to retain viable facilities, or those that can be made viable and where a change of use or re -development is proposed developers will be expected to show evidence o f attempts to market the property as a business in these areas.
Environment Policy 22
development will not be permitted which would unacceptably harm the amenity of nearby properties in terms of noise pollution
Environment Policy 22: Development will not be permitted where it would unacceptably harm the environment and/or the amenity of nearby properties in terms of: i) pollution of sea, surface water or groundwater; ii) emissions of airborne pollutants; and iii) vibration, odour, noise or light pollution. 7.17.2 In addition to the above, changes in the activities associated with the current permitted use of land or a building, which in themselves do not constitute development and therefore do not require planning permission, can have an adverse impact on adjacent properties by virtue of noise, light or general disturbance. For example the addition of security lig hting on a property may cause light pollution affecting adjacent properties and the wider area. The introduction of new activities into established parks and recreation areas can have an impact on neighbours. In such cases the Department would advocate t he person or organisation considering the change to give careful consideration to the potential impact of such activity in terms of location, siting and design.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
For the avoidance of doubt, the use hereby approved shall be limited to that of a dance studio.
Condition 3
Prior to the implementation of the approval hereby given, the car park shall be marked out in accordance with details which have first been approved in writing by the Department and show spaces and vehicle manoeuvring room. The car park shall be marked out in accordance with the approved details and retained as such thereafter.
Condition 4
No customers shall remain in the building or within the site outside the hours of 8:30 to 21:00 on any day.
