Officer Report

PLANNING OFFICER REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

Application No.: 24/10083/AIR Applicant: Tevir Group Proposal: Information in relation to condition 10 for PA 23/01223/B - Archaeology Method Statement for The Villiers Square, Fort Street, Douglas. Site Address: Villiers Square Fort Street Douglas Isle Of Man IM1 2AX Planning Assistant: Daniel Spencer Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 09.09.2024

Conditions and Notes for Approval

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions

NOTE. Manx National Heritage have requested that they are notified of the intended start date for the commencement of groundworks in the area where the old seawall is located (marked in grey running north to south parallel to Fort Street), so that a site visit can be arranged.

NOTE. The submitted method plan would be considered satisfactory for the planning condition 10 of application 23/01223/B with the understanding that the programme of archaeological monitoring shall be fully implemented in accordance with the approved written methodology.

Plans/Drawings/Information;

This decision is in relation to the submitted 2024-08-09_NKC - Villiers Square Archaeology_V1 submitted on the 14.08.2024. __________________________________________________________________________

Officer’s Report

1.0 Description - 1.1 The proposed application 23/01223/B was approved on 22.04.2024 for the construction of mixed use commercial building including commercial office (class 1.2 and 2.1), retail (class 1.1) and leisure uses (class 4.4) complete with basement parking, food & drink (class

1.3 and 1.4), and 80 bedroom hotel including restaurant and operational areas (class 3.1)

subject to 21 conditions some of which required submission of additional information prior to the commencement of works.

1.2 This report is specific to Condition 10 which the applicants are seeking to satisfy. - 1.3 Specific wording of the condition as follows:

"C10. No development shall take place until a written methodology for an archaeological watching brief relating to the site groundwork's has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The programme of archaeological monitoring shall be fully implemented in accordance with the approved written methodology.

Reason: To ensure that any archaeological remains are appropriately recorded and/or assessed prior to their damage or destruction by the development in accordance with Environment Policy 41 of The Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016."

2.0 Proposal

2.1 The applicant’s agent have now submitted 2024-08-09_NKC Villiers Square Archaeology_V1 method statement. This Archaeology Method Statement provides contact details for site personnel and the role and responsibility they will play during development to ensure the method statement is followed. The statement also includes information on the aim of the statement and contact details for the relevant personnel to contact if any structures or other interests are found. - 3.0 Consultation

3.1 Manx National Heritage was consulted for advice on the satisfaction of condition. The advice received on 09.09.2024, after their review of the submitted documents, concludes that they are pleased that the information satisfies the relevant clauses. They have requested that they are notified of the intended start date for the commencement of groundwork's in the area where the old seawall is located. - 4.0 Recommendation

4.1 In the instance of the submitted 2024-08-09_NKC Villiers Square Archaeology_V1 method statement and after consultation with Manx National Heritage, who are happy with the level of detail, it is deemed sufficient and would be considered satisfactory for the planning condition 10 of application 23/01223/B with the understanding that the programme of archaeological monitoring shall be fully implemented in accordance with the approved written methodology.

I can confirm that this decision has been made by a Principal Planner in accordance with the authority afforded to that Officer by the appropriate DEFA Delegation and that in making this decision the Officer has agreed the recommendation in relation to who should be afforded Interested Person Status.

Decision Made : Permitted Date: 11.09.2024 Determining officer

Signed : C BALMER Chris Balmer Principal Planner