Officer Report and Recommendation

Case Officer: Mr Steve Stanley Photo Taken: Site Visit: Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer's Report

Introduction

1. This application seeks permission to change the use of the ground floor of an existing building located within Douglas town centre from a restaurant and bar/night club to office use. The building is located in a prominent position opposite the Sea Terminal.

The Site

1. The application site is the curtilage of Peveril Building, Peveril Square, Douglas, a large building used predominantly as offices. It occupies a corner position within Peveril Square. Currently the majority of ground floor is currently used as a restaurant and bar/night club.

The Proposal

1. This application seeks approval for the change of use of the ground floor restaurant and bar/night club to office use. The application includes the creation of 6 additional parking spaces within the car park to the rear which serves the building. The floor area of the proposed additional office space would be 278 sq.m.

Development Plan Policies

1. The application site is located within an area identified as being Predominantly Office use by the Douglas Local Plan.

Planning History

1. The following previous planning application is considered relevant to the determination of this proposal:

87/04694/B - Partitioning, fitting out and formation of restaurant, bar and club. Permitted.

Representations

1. The Highways Division does not oppose this application.

Assessment

1. The proposed use is in accordance with the land use designation of the area and as such is judged to be acceptable subject to detailed matters being acceptable.

Application No.:	11/01684/C
Applicant:	Rose Estates Ltd
Proposal:	Change of use of part of ground floor from restaurant and bar/nightclub to office use
Site Address:	Peveril Building
Peveril Square
Douglas
Isle Of Man
IM1 2BS

1. The main issue is whether there would be sufficient parking to serve the additional office floor area. The application states that 6 additional spaces would be provided within the existing car park. This allocation would meet the standard for parking to serve town centre offices as set out by the Isle of Man Strategic plan at Appendix 7 (1 space per 50 sq.m = 5.56). All of the proposed additional spaces would be smaller (4 metres) than the minimum car parking space size in terms of length (4.8 metres) although their width would be 2.5 metres which would be acceptable. Two of the spaces would be tandem spaces.

1. Given the town centre location of the building it is judged that provision of all the required spaces may not be required if part (d) of Appendix 7 is applied. This states that "These standards may be relaxed where development: (d) is within a reasonable distance of an existing or proposed bus route and it can be demonstrated a reduced level of parking will not result in unacceptable on street parking in the locality." It is on this basis that the Highways Division does not oppose this application.

1. In conclusion, it is considered that the application is acceptable given that the proposed use is in accordance with the Local Plan and the site is located within a town centre location, close to the main bus stop of Douglas.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Permit.

PARTY STATUS

1. It is considered that the following parties, who submitted comments, accord with the requirements of Planning Circular 1/06 and are therefore, afforded Interested Party Status:

Douglas Corporation

The Highways Division and the Planning Authority are both part of the Department of Infrastructure. As such, the Highways Division cannot be afforded Interested Party Status.

Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 24.01.2012

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

C 1. The use must be taken up within four years of the date of this notice in order for this approval to remain valid after that time.

C 2.

This permission is for the change of use of part of ground floor from restaurant and bar/nightclub to office use, Peveril Building, Peveril Square, Douglas as shown by P01 and P02 received 6th December 2011.

I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control / Development Control Manager/ Senior Planning Officer.

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 20 January 2012

Determining officer (delete as appropriate)

Signed : ... Anthony Holmes Senior Planning Officer

Signed : ... Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control

Signed : ... Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer

Signed : ... Jennifer Chance Development Control Manager