3 November 2020 · Committee
Gecko, 8, Mount Pleasant, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 2pu
Permission was granted to convert a vacant office building at 8 Mount Pleasant, Douglas into a single residential dwelling. The property is a three-storey mid-terraced building currently containing five offices with around 96 square metres of net floor space. The site sits on Mount Pleasant, an alley off Finch Road, in an area that includes both offices and terraced houses. The building has no associated parking. The application was submitted by Brillig Investments Ltd. The main planning issues examined were whether the change of use was acceptable in principle, whether the location was suitable for residential purposes, and whether future occupiers would have adequate living conditions.
The application was approved by the Director of Planning and Building Control on 3 November 2020. The key planning issues considered were the principle of the development, the suitability of the location for residential use, and the amenities that future occupiers would have. The proposal was found acceptable on all these grounds.
General Policy 2
This application is considered to comply with General Policy 2
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
Transport Policy 7
Transport Policy 7: The Department will require that in all new development, parking provision must be in accordance with the Department's current standards. The current standards are set out in Appendix 7. 11.5.4 New development can have a significant impact in terms of the traffic generated by it and the impact on the various modes of travel. The Department considers that proposals which are likely to be significant traffic generators should be accompanied by a Transport Assessment(1) which should look at all modes of transport including access by public transport, cycling and on foot.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
