19 November 2020 · Committee
The Arts Hub, The Chapel, Nursery Avenue, Onchan, Isle Of Man, IM3 4hg
This application sought permission to add a community facility use (class 4.3) to the former Chapel on the corner of Nursery Avenue and Main Road in Onchan, which was already in use as a Performing Arts Studio (class 4.4). The proposal would allow the building to serve both purposes. The site is a former chapel in the centre of Onchan, with a walled boundary along the main road and Nursery Avenue, and an area of off-road parking to the rear. It sits within a mixed-use village centre context that includes a library, commissioner's office, hairdresser, Methodist church, youth club, and residential properties. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 19 November 2020, with three conditions attached. The main planning consideration was the principle of the change of use.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application. The key planning issue considered was the principle of the change of use, and the proposal was found acceptable. Three conditions were attached to the permission.
Community Policy 2
New community facilities should be located to serve the local population and be accessible to non-car users, and should where possible re-use existing vacant or underused buildings
Community Policy 2: New community facilities should be located to serve the local population and be accessible to non -car users, and should where possible re-use existing vacant or underused buildings. 10.7.2 Local community facilities are important in providing for local communities without the need for travel and should be retained unless the site or premises are no longer suitable for the current or an alternative community use. Developers will be expected to demonstrate that the potential to use the site or building for other community uses has been investigated.
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
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
Parking Standards
Assembly and leisure - 1 space per 15 square metres gross floor space
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
The rear parking area shall at all times be made available for the parking of vehicles associated with the approved use and shall be retained available for such use thereafter.
Condition 3
No customers shall be onsite outside the following times: 0900 and 2100 hours on weekdays (Monday to Friday); 0800 and 2100 hours on Saturday); 0930 and 2100 hours on Sunday
change of use of the chapel from offices to performing arts studio
offices
previous use
change of use to children's nurseries
change of use to children's nurseries
change of use to storage/offices/market
refusal