11 August 2020 · Delegated
Villiers Building, Victoria Street, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 2ln
This application sought permission to install illuminated signage at the Villiers Building, a five-storey modern office building on the corner of Victoria Street and Loch Promenade in Douglas. The ground floor of the building was partly vacant at the time of the application. The site falls within a Conservation Area, which meant the visual impact of the proposed signage on the street scene and the character of the area was the central planning consideration. Officers noted that the building is modern in design, with curtain glazing across most of its elevations, giving the immediate area a contemporary character despite the Conservation Area designation. The application was approved by delegated decision on 11 August 2020, subject to one condition.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 11 August 2020. The key planning consideration was whether the signage would harm the character and appearance of the street scene and the Conservation Area. The building's modern design, with largely glazed elevations, was noted as consistent with the contemporary character of the area despite its Conservation Area setting.
General Policy 2
comply
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
General Policy 5
comply
General Policy 5: Where breaches of planning control occur, and where the Department considers it exped ient to do so, enforcement action will be taken in accordance with Part 4 of, and Schedule 4 to the 1999 of the Town and Country Planning Act. 6.6 Advertisements 6.6.1 The Department controls the display of advertisements in the interests of amenity or public safety, under the Control of Advertisements Regulations 2005. 6.6.2 Within our towns and villages, well designed and sensitively sited advertisements can contribute positively to the character of a building or area, and can be of help to the genera l public. However, advertisements which are too bright, overlarge or poorly sited may endanger safety by distracting or confusing highway users and may, both individually and cumulatively, detract from amenity by being intrusive, by introducing clutter an d visual confusion or by masking features of interest or attraction.
Environment Policy 35
comply
Environment Policy 35: Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development. 7.30 Development adjacent to Conservation Areas 7.30.1 It is often the case that important views into and out of a Conservation Area can contribute significantly to its character. It is necessary to assess the impact any development adjacent to conservation areas may have on such views.
Environment Policy 37
comply
Environment Policy 37: As a general policy, advertisements within Conservation Areas will be permitted only if: i) the proposal preserves or enhances the Conservation Area; ii) the signage is in a style appropriate to the character of the area; iii) traditional materials and finishes are used and glossy and highly reflective materials are excluded from proposals; and iv) internally illuminated box fascia and projecting box signs are excluded from the proposals.
General Policy 6
display of external advertisements
General Policy 6: Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements will be permitted on the site or building to which they relate provided they: (a) are of a high standard of design and materials and relate well to the building and site on which they are to be displayed; (b) are in keeping with and do not detract from the surrounding area; and (c) are located so as not to cause a highway safety hazard.
Condition 1
The advertisement(s) hereby granted consent shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
