21 June 2024 · Delegated
Supermarket, Arbory Street, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 1lh
Permission was sought for a range of signage at the Tesco Express supermarket on Arbory Street, Castletown. This included a fascia sign, a projecting sign, two internally illuminated vinyl signs on the glazing, a Hello/Store Directory sign, a box fascia sign, and an internally illuminated Entrance This Way sign. All but one of these signs had already been installed before the application was determined, making it largely retrospective. During the site visit, the officer observed that the adjacent dwelling sits further into the highway than the proposed projecting sign, and that a public bin is positioned beneath the sign at the corner. These site conditions were relevant to assessing the signs' relationship with the surrounding street environment. The application was approved by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture on 21 June 2024, with one condition attached.
The application was approved by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture under delegated powers. Most of the signage had already been installed by the time of the officer's site visit, making the application partly retrospective. The officer noted that a neighbouring dwelling sits further into the highway than the proposed sign, and that a public bin occupies the corner area beneath it, which informed the assessment of the sign's impact on the street.
General Policy 6
The installation of the non-illuminated and one illuminated signage on the site complies with The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 and is also in accordance with General Policy 6 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016.
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 35
the proposal would preserve the Conservation Area in accordance with Section 18(4) of the Town and Country Planning Act (1999) and Environment Policy 35 & 37 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016.
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. 7.30 Development adjacent to Conservation Areas 7.30.1 It is often the case that important views into and out of a Conservation Area can contribute significantly to its character. It is necessary to assess the impact any development adjacent to conservation areas may have on such views.
Environment Policy 37
When looking at Environment Policy 37, for part i), the signage would preserve the Conservation Area as stated above.
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.
General Policy 2
General Policy 2 which sets out general development standards
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
General Policy 7
as well as meeting with the principles of General Policies 6 and 7 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016.
General Policy 7: Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements on sites or buildings other than those to which they relate will not generally be permitted. 6.6.3 Within rural areas, advertisements can be disruptive features which affect adversely the appearance of the landscape and the countryside. Lighting can pollute the night sky, and may be contrary to nature conservation interests.
Condition 1
There shall be no internal or external illumination of the signage other than what has been hereby approved.
