8 October 2019 · Committee
42, Bucks Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 3ad
This retrospective application sought permission to add a food and drink (Class 3) use to the existing retail (Class 1) premises at Isle of Gelato, 42 Bucks Road, Douglas. The building is a two-storey end terrace on the corner of Bucks Road and Albert Street, formerly occupied by a cycle shop. The site is zoned for retail use and sits on a stretch of Bucks Road characterised by retail premises and restaurants. Although the building is not within a conservation area, it backs onto the Windsor Road Conservation Area. The main planning issues were whether the additional Class 3 use was acceptable in principle and whether it would have any adverse impact on the surrounding area. The application was permitted by the Committee on 8 October 2019, with one condition attached to the approval.
The application was approved by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. The key planning issues considered were whether a food and drink use was acceptable in principle on a site zoned for retail, and whether it would affect the wider amenity of the area.
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
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
Environment Policy 36
Where development is proposed outside of, but close to, the boundary of a Conservation Area, this will only be permitted where it will not detrimentally affect important views into and out of the Conservation Area.
Environment Policy 36: Where development is proposed outside of, but close to, the boundary of a Conservation Area, this will only be permitted where it will not detrimentally affect important views into and out of the Conservation Area. 7.31 Advertisements in Conservation Areas 7.31.1 Some advertisements found and proposed in Conservation Areas are inappropriate and do not reflect the special character and designation of the area. The design of advertisements should respect the physical appearance of the premises in order to integrate re adily with its surroundings. Traditional details, hanging signs and hand painted signage are most appropriate and will be encouraged.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
