15 February 2019 · Delegated
Kermode House, 74, Parliament Street, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 1aq
Permission was granted to convert the first floor office space at Kermode House, 74 Parliament Street, Ramsey into a residential apartment. The building is a modern three-storey end-terrace on a corner plot, with a coffee shop on the ground floor and an existing apartment on the second floor. The main planning issues considered were whether the location was suitable for residential use, the amenity that future occupiers would experience, and the absence of off-street parking. Parliament Street is Ramsey's principal retail area, and the lack of dedicated parking is typical of properties along this street. The application was approved by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture under delegated powers, subject to one condition.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 15 February 2019. The key planning considerations were the suitability of the location for residential use, the amenity of future occupiers, and parking. The approval was granted subject to one condition.
The use of upper floors as retail units, offices and apartments shall be encouraged particularly where premises are currently vacant (see also Policy R/R/P4)
Upper floors
on, it is considered that residential use on upper floors of commercial buildings should continue to be permitted in order to assist in the buildings' maintenance and refurbishment (reference: Policy R/TC/P3). ## Traffic Management
The upper floors above shops are often under-used. Use of this space for residential purposes will be encouraged, subject to compliance with the Housing (Flats) Regulations.
upper floors above shops
3.15 Policy R/R/P4: Use Of Upper Floors For Residential Purposes The upper floors above shops are often under-used. Use of this space for residential purposes will be encouraged, subject to compliance with the Housing (Flats) Regulations. Change of use from residential to office use will not generally be permitted.
The Department will require that in all new development, parking provision must be in accordance with the Department's current standards.
parking provision
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.
Housing Policy 17
conversion of buildings into flats
Housing Policy 17: The conversion of buildings into flats will generally be permitted in residential areas provided that: (a) adequate space can be provided for clothes -drying, refuse storage, general amenity, and, if practical, car-parking; (b) the flats created will have a pleasant clear outlook, particularly from the principal rooms and (c) if possible, this involves the creation of parking on site or as part of an overall traffic management strategy for the area. 8.13.4 In recent years, interest has grown in the development of residential dwellings from redundant commercial space, primarily above shops. In the United Kingdom, inspira tion for such development came from the LOTS initiative (Living Over The Shop) started in 1989 and the FOS programme (Flats Over the Shop), set up in 1991. The Department generally supports the conversion of redundant storage space above shops (which are often outside of residential areas), into residential development unless the occupants would suffer adverse noise, general disturbance or loss of residential amenity from other land uses. 8.14 Loss of Housing 8.14.1 In the current housing situation, the Department is concerned to ensure that there is no unwarranted loss of existing housing which is fit for habitation or could be made so at reasonable cost.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Conversion of ground floor opticians to a hot food and drink establishment (Class 3)
Conversion of existing office accommodation into an apartment (2nd floor)
Change of use of first floor of existing Opticians to a self-contained office suite
Internal alterations to form examination rooms, display areas and workshop
