Officer Report

Application No.: 16/00931/D Applicant: Chrystals Bros Stott & Kerruish Proposal: Installation of non-illuminated signage Site Address: 23 Station Road Port Erin Isle of Man IM9 6AE Case Officer : Miss Lucy Kinrade Photo Taken: 07.09.2016 Site Visit: 07.09.2016 Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer’s Report THE SITE

1.1 The application site is the curtilage of existing buildings 23 and 25 Station Road, Port Erin an existing single storey property situated on the corner of Station Road and Orchard Road. The surrounding area is predominantly characterised by retail and commercial units with a mix of shop front and signage boards. - 1.2 Prior to 1991, both numbers 23 and 25 Station Road were two separate properties. Planning approval was sought, and granted, under PA 91/01034/C for the joining of the properties and for them to be used as an estate agency - in effect; they became a single Planning unit. - 1.3 This unit has recently undergone external refurbishment works comprising of the removal of the existing projecting and box signage and window canopies and the repainting of the existing window frames from black to white and the external render from white to pale green. THE PROPOSAL

2.1 Proposed is the installation of replacement signage to the front and side elevation. The signage is to be made primarily from 5mm black acrylic which is then fitted to locators and fixed directly on to the building. Parts of the signage will be made of grey and yellow acrylic and fitted and fixed in the same method. - 2.2 The front signage will display the company name 'Chrystals' and their logo either side of the company website address 'www.chrystals.co.im' in the centre. At most the depth of the signage will be approx. 867mm and it shall cover the entire width of the front elevation and sit above the display windows. - 2.3 The side elevation signage will sit above the display windows facing on to Orchard Road, and shall consist of the company logo and the company website address beneath. The logo shall be approx. 1000mm x 975mm and the website address approx. 2795mm x 263mm. PLANNING HISTORY

3.1 Planning approval was sought, and granted for 23 Station Road, under PA 89/00048/D for the installation of an illuminated fascia sign and projector sign 1989 and PA 89/01772/B for the construction of new shop front in 1990.

3.2 Planning approval was sought, and granted for 25 Station Road, under PA 91/01034/C for the change of use from retail photographic to estate agents in 1991 and PA 91/01435/D for the provision of new advertising signage in 1992. PLANNING POLICY

4.1 In terms of local plan policy, the application site lies within an area designated on the Port Erin Local Plan of 1990 as 'Mixed Use'. It is also within the "Proposed Port Erin Conservation Area" as identified on the Area Plan for the South 2013. - 4.2 Given the nature of the application it is appropriate to consider General Policy 6 and Environment Policy 35 and 37 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 when assessing the application;

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."

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."

Although not fully designated as a Conservation Area its proposal to be as such means that we should consider EP35 when assessing the application;

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."

REPRESENTATIONS

5.1 Department of Infrastructure Highway Services indicate that there is no highway interest in the application (24/08/16). - 5.2 Port Erin Commissioners support the application (19/09/16). ASSESSMENT

6.1 The key considerations when determining and assessing this application are whether or not the proposed works will have an impact the visual amenity of the area or an impact on the character of the proposed Conservation Area. - 6.2 In terms of visual alteration, the installation of non-illuminated signage above the shop front windows involves relatively little change to the building as a whole and is considered to have a neutral impact on the appearance and character of the area and existing building. - 6.3 The proposal is considered to be of an appropriate style and its material finish is not expected to detract views of the local area or create any adverse impacts on the local street scene.

RECOMMENDATION

7.1 The proposal complies with General Policy 6, Environment Policy 35 and Environment Policy 37 and it is therefore recommended that the application be approved. PARTY STATUS - 8.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No 2) Order 2013, the following persons are automatically interested persons:

• (a) The applicant, or if there is one, the applicant's agent;
• (b) The owner and the occupier of any land that is the subject of the application or any other person in whose interest the land becomes vested;
• (c) Any Government Department that has made written submissions relating to planning considerations with respect to the application that the Department considers material; (e) The local authority in whose district the land the subject of the application is situated.

With effect from 1 June 2015, the Transfer of Planning & Building Control Functions Order 2015 amends the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 to give effect to the meaning of the word 'Department' to be the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture unless otherwise directed by that Order.

Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 14.09.2016 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 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.

This approval relates to Site and Location Plan, historic photographs of the site and example of proposed signage, all date stamped and received 08/08/2016 and drawing numbers CPE/1 and CPE/2 both date stamped and received 08/08/16.

I can confirm that this decision has been made by a Senior Planning Officer in accordance with the authority afforded to that Officer by the appropriate DEFA Delegation.

Decision Made : Permitted Date: 23.09.2016 Determining officer

Signed : S CORLETT Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer

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