4 April 2017 · Committee
The Stores, Main Road, Ballabeg, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 4ha
Permission was granted for alterations to The Stores on Main Road, Ballabeg, to change the use of the ground floor from a retail unit to tourist accommodation, and to convert the first floor apartment from permanent residential use to tourist accommodation. The building is described in the officer report as an empty property situated on the southern corner of the A7 highway in Ballabeg, with a somewhat traditional form and massing and a stone front elevation. The application was decided by Committee and permitted on 4 April 2017, in line with the officer's recommendation to approve. The determining body is recorded as Committee.
The application was permitted by Committee on 4 April 2017. The proposal involved converting an existing empty building, and the officer recommended approval. No refusal reasons or conditions are recorded in the available evidence.
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
Business Policy 11
Business Policy 11: Tourism development must be in accordance with the sustainable development objectives of this plan; policies and designat ions which seek to protect the countryside from development will be applied to tourist development with as much weight as they are to other types of development. Within the rural areas there may be (1) Tourism Strategy 2004 - 2008 Fit for the Future Department of Tourism and Leisure April 2004 situations where existing rural buildings could be used f or tourist use and Environment Policy 16 sets out the circumstances where this may be permitted.
Business Policy 13
application complies with
Business Policy 13: Permission will generally be given for the use of private residential properties as tourist accommodation providing that it can be demonstrated that such u se would not compromise the amenities of neighbouring residents.
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.
Community Policy 4
Community Policy 4: Development (including the change of use of existing premises) which involves the loss of local shops and local public houses, will only be permitted if it can be demonstrated that the use is no longer commercially viable, or cannot be made commercially viable. 10.9 Hospitals 10.9.1 The new hospital located in Braddan is now operational, and any further land-use requirements arising therefrom are dealt with in the re levant Area Plan. Likewise, any land - use requirements arising from regional facilities will be addressed by the appropriate Area Plans. 10.10 School Sites 10.10.1 Schools play an important role as a focus for community activity, providing not only schooling for children but also adult education, sports facilities, and cultural and social opportunities. This is especially true in our smaller villages. The continued viability and accessibility of village schools will therefore be one of the more important criteria to which the Department has regard when preparing new Area Plans. In the preparation of Area Plans, the Department will consult with the Education Departm ent on such criteria . Also, an increasing population, and changes in the profile and distribution of the population, are leading to demand for new and extended schools. Accordingly, the following policy is appropriate:
