DEC Officer Report

Application No.: 20/01189/B Applicant: Northern Local Authority Swimming Pool Board Proposal: Refurbishment of the main entrance area to provide a new entrance lobby Site Address: The Northern Swimming Pool Old River Road Mooragh Promenade Ramsey Isle Of Man IM8 3AB Principal Planner: Mr Chris Balmer Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 07.12.2020 _________________________________________________________________

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 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.

This application has been recommended for approval for the following reason. It is considered the proposal would comply with the relevant policies of the Isle Of Man Strategic Plan - General Policy 2.

Plans/Drawings/Information; This approval relates to the submitted documents and drawings 20/3050/01, 20/3050/02 and 20/3050/03 all received on 27th October 2020. _______________________________________________________________

Interested Person Status – Additional Persons

None _____________________________________________________________________________

Officer’s Report

1.0 SITE - 1.1 The application site forms the curtilage of The Northern Swimming Pool, Old River Road, Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey which is a large detached building which is located on the northern side of Old River Road and to the western side of Mooragh Promenade

2.0 PLANNING POLICIES - 2.1 The application site is within an area recognised as being mixed use, more specifically residential and office use under the Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Ramsey Local Plan) (No. 2) Order 1998, hereafter referred to as the Ramsey 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 policies are 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 no previous planning applications in relation to this site which are considered relevant in the determination of this application.

4.0 PROPOSAL - 4.1 The application seeks approval for the refurbishment of the main entrance area to provide a new entrance lobby. The existing doorway and the revolving door are to be removed and replaced with a larger entrance lobby and two automatic sliding doors.

5.0 REPRESENTATIONS - 5.1 Highway Services have no objection (received on 20.11.2020). - 5.2 Ramsey Commissioners have no objection (received on 20.11.2020).

6.0 ASSESSMENT - 6.1 The fundamental issues to consider in the assessment of this current planning application are the impacts of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the existing building and upon the visual amenity of the street scene. - 6.2 In terms of the siting, layout, scale and form of the new entrance lobby there are no concerns and it would fit well with the existing building.

6.3 With regards to the impact of the development on the surrounding area and general public amenity, it is worth noting that the proposed extension is single storey and as mentioned previous is of a design, scale, form and finish which would fit well with the existing building. Accordingly, the development proposed is not judged to detract from the existing character and form of the building and in turn what would be visible is not judged to harm the amenity of those that would see the extension from public views.

7.0 CONCLUSION - 7.1 Overall, it is considered the proposal would comply with the relevant policies of the Isle Of Man Strategic Plan - General Policy 2 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) Order 2019, the following persons are automatically interested persons:

• (a) the applicant (including an agent acting on their behalf);
• (b) any Government Department that has made written representations that the Department considers material;
• (c) the Highways Division of the Department of Infrastructure;
• (d) Manx National Heritage where it has made written representations that the Department considers material;
• (e) Manx Utilities where it has made written representations that the Department considers material;
• (f) the local authority in whose district the land the subject of the application is situated; and
• (g) a local authority adjoining the authority referred to in paragraph (f) where that adjoining authority has made written representations that the Department considers material.

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 above who should be given Interested Person Status

I can confirm that this decision has been made by the Head of Development Management in accordance with the authority afforded to that Officer by the appropriate DEFA Delegation.

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 07.12.2020 Determining officer

Signed : S BUTLER Stephen Butler Head of Development Management

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