15 February 2019 · Delegated
First Floor Offices, Elm Tree House, Main Road, Onchan, Isle Of Man, IM3 1ah
Permission was granted to change the use of the first floor of Elm Tree House, Main Road, Onchan from retail to offices. The building sits prominently in Onchan Village centre, fronting directly onto the Main Road, and already contains offices on the second floor and retail on the ground floor. The officer assessed three main planning issues: the principle of the change of use, the impact on local amenity, and parking provision. Three designated parking spaces are available at the rear of the site, accessed from Elm Tree Road. The application was approved under delegated powers by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, with one condition attached.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 15 February 2019. The officer considered the principle of the change of use, its impact on local amenity, and parking provision, and recommended approval. The decision was made under delegated powers.
Mixed Use for Retail, Residential and Office Use
zoning
Strategic Plan parking standards discretion
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."
A.7.6 Parking Standards Type of Development Car Parking Standard Typical Residential 2 spaces per unit, at least one of which is retained within the curtilage and behind the front of the dwelling. Residential Terraces 2 spaces per unit, if not within curtilage then located as close to units as possible without compromising residential amenity. Parking spaces should not be provided in front of the dwellings where this would result in a poor outlook for residents and would detract from the amenity of the area. Apartments 1 space for 1 bedroom; 2 spaces for 2 or more bedrooms Sheltered Housing 1 space per 3 units. Town centre and brownfield residential development Typical residential standard may be relaxed in accordance with paragraph A.7.1 above. Nursing, rest, and care homes 1 space per 3 residents in addition to spaces for staff and deliveries. Offices 1 space for every 50 square metres of nett floor space. Out of town offices 1 space for every 15 square metres of nett floor space. Town centre shops Space for service vehicle use. Neighbourhood shops Spaces for staff, customers, and service vehicles will be required. Light industrial, research and development 1 space per 30 square metres nett floor space. General industrial 1 space per 50 square metres gross floor space. Storage and distribution 1 space per 100 square metres gross floor space. Medical / health services 3 spaces per consulting room plus staff parking. Hotels, motels, guest houses 1 space per guest bedroom. In rural and suburban l ocations. In urban locations standards may be relaxed as (d) below Assembly and leisure (includes cinemas, meeting halls, swimming baths, leisure centres, and the conference and leisure facilities of hotels) 1 space per 15 square metres gross floor space. These standards may be relaxed where development: (a) would secure the re -use of a Registered Building or a building of architectural or historic interest; or (b) would result in the preservation of a sensitive streetscape; or (c) is otherwise of benefit to the character of a Conservation Area. (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. APPENDIX 8 EXISTING, APPROVED AND NEW DWELLINGS BY LOCAL AUTHORITY AREA Local Authority Area Number of private households 2011* % of Island Total New dwellings approved 2001 - 2011 (valid approvals) % of Island total New dwellings started or completed 2001 - 2011 % of Island total North Ramsey 3,530 9.9 657 12.7 568 12.7 Andreas 595 1.7 105 2 102 2.3 Jurby 264 0.7 26 0.5 24 0.5 Ballaugh 438 1.2 21 0.4 15 0.3 Bride 168 0.5 12 0.2 10 0.2 Lezayre 510 1.5 62 1.2 51 1.1 Maughold 403 1.1 17 0.3 13 0.3 Total 5,908 16.6 900 17.3 783 17.4 East Douglas 11,702 32.9 1724 33.4 1407 31.5 Onchan 3,993 11.2 230 4.5 222 5 Braddan 1,350 3.8 260 5 256 5.7 Laxey 716 2 46 0.9 18 0.4 Lonan 621 1.7 95 1.8 88 2 Marown 885 2.5 96 1.9 84 1.9 Santon 283 0.8 10 0.2 10 0.2 Total 19,550 54.9 2461 47.7 2085 46.7 West Peel 2,168 6.1 763 14.8 719 16.1 Michael 682 1.9 75 1.5 74 1.6 German 433 1.2 17 0.3 12 0.3 Patrick 604 1.7 91 1.8 89 2 Total 3,887 10.9 946 18.4 894 20 South Castletown 1,353 3.8 298 5.8 294 6.6 Port Erin 1,631 4.6 198 3.8 173 3.9 Port St. Mary 860 2.4 146 2.8 79 1.8 Rushen 675 1.9 46 0.9 44 1 Arbory 758 2.1 86 1.7 49 1.1 Malew 977 2.8 81 1.6 68 1.5 Total 6,254 17.6 855 16.6 707 15.9 Total 35,599 100 5162 100 4469 100 *Source: Isle of Man Census 2011 APPENDIX 9(1) ISLE OF MAN EMPLOYMENT LAND AVAILABILITY 2007 SUMMARY Available Land (ha) South Port Erin 0.24 Malew 49.18 Sub Total - South 49.42 East Douglas 5.22 Braddan (2) 28.07 Onchan 3.65 Sub Total - East 36.94 North Ramsey 10.40 Lezayre 0.47 Jurby 8.25 Sub Total - North 19.12 West Patrick / Peel 10.4 Sub Total - West 10.4 TOTAL 115.88 (1) Source: Employment Land Availability Study DLGE 2007 (2) This figure includes 20 ha proposed by the DLGE at Cooil Road
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
