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Application No.: 25/00844/D Applicant: Garforth Gray Proposal: Installation of permanent illuminated signage Site Address: 17A Orchard Road Port Erin Isle Of Man IM9 6AJ Planning Officer: Lucy Kinrade Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 13.10.2025 _________________________________________________________________
C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions
It is considered that the size, scale, siting and design of the signage would have no adverse visual or amenity harm to the existing building of any neighbouring properties or public safety. By reason of its size, internal lighting type and position on the ground floor of the front and side elevation, the proposed illumination is considered acceptable and not to result in any visual or amenity harm to any neighbouring properties or public safety. The application is considered to accord with The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013, as well as meeting with the principles of General Policies 2, 6, 7 and 8 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016 and not to undermine EP37. A condition will ensure no intermittent light source.
Plans/Drawings/Information; This approval relates to the following:
_________________________________________________________________ Interested Person Status None
_________________________________________________________________ Officer’s Report
1.0 THE SITE - 1.1 Site relates to an existing commercial unit situated in the heart of Port Erin. The building has planning history relating to its use as a shop, greengrocers, funeral directors, office and financial and professional services.
2.0 THE PROPOSAL - 2.1 Proposed is the installation of signage to the front and side elevation of the building comprising individual lettering and to be internally illuminated.
3.1 Most relevant is the change of use to professional services under 18/00690/C and approval for signage under 18/00992/D with condition preventing any illumination by intermittent source. - 4.0 PLANNING POLICY
4.1 In terms of local plan policy, the application site lies within an area designated as 'Mixed Use' and within the "Proposed Port Erin Conservation Area" on the Area Plan for the South 2013.
4.2 The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 make it clear that the only considerations which can be applied to applications made under them are in the interests of amenity and public safety. In the case of amenity, such things as the general characteristics of the area need to be taken into account along with the presence of any features of historic, architectural, cultural or similar interest and the public safety should consider the safety of any person using a road, railway, tramway, harbour or aerodrome including the obscuration of any traffic sign or similar. - 4.3 In addition to The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 we may also consider General Policies 6 and 7 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 which cover advertisements in both town and village centres, Environment Policy 37 which relates to advertisements in conservation area and General Policy 2 which contains general standards towards acceptable development.
5.0 REPRESENTATIONS Copies of representations received can be viewed on the government's website. This report contains summaries only.
5.1 Port Erin Commissioners - indicated that the application will be heard at their meeting 8/10/2025 although no updated comments have been received.
5.2 The following were consulted but no response received as of 13/10/2025:
6.1 The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 make clear that the only considerations which can be applied to applications made under them are in the interests of amenity and public safety. In the case of amenity, such things as the general characteristics of the area need to be taken into account along with the presence of any features of historic, architectural, cultural or similar interest and the public safety should consider the safety of any person using a road, railway, tramway, harbour or aerodrome including the obscuration of any traffic sign or similar. Further to this paragraph 6.6.2 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016 makes clear that "within our towns and villages, well designed and sensitively sited advertisements can contribute positively to the character of a building or area, and can be of help to the general public. However, advertisements which are too bright, overlarge or poorly sited may endanger safety by distracting or confusing highway users and might, both individually and cumulatively, detract from amenity by being intrusive, by introducing clutter and visual confusion or by masking features of interest or attraction". Paragraph 6.6.3 furthers on this stating that "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".
Signage 6.2 The proposed signage sits above the main shop windows and on a small area of the side elevation. By reason of their form, size and finish and not being overbearing or dominant they are considered acceptable and proportionate to the building. The signage would be prominent enough to be recognised without being a distraction to passing public or motorists, and given the mixed use and commercial nature of the area would not be out of keeping with the overall appearance and character of the area.
Illumination
6.3 The application site is within an existing shopping area where there is already a degree of illuminated signage as well as existing streetlights and the level of illumination is not expected to result in light pollution beyond that lighting which already exists within this commercial area. There are no hours of illumination stated within the application. Each of the individual letters is to be internally illuminated and not expected to be so bright as to cause any visual distractions to passing vehicles, nor to harm any amenity or living conditions of nearby neighbours beyond existing town centre lighting and streetlights. - 6.4 Given the siting, low level of illumination expected and factoring in the surrounding environment, there is no reason in this case to add any planning conditions to control hours of illumination. However, a condition preventing any intermittent light source is appropriate to prevent flickering or distractions to motorists. Commissioner's comments - 6.5 The commissioners indicated a delay to the review of the application and provision of comments. These have not yet been received, however given the positive findings as set out above it is not felt necessary to delay determination any longer.
7.1 Overall it is considered that the size, scale, siting and design of the signage would have no adverse visual or amenity harm to the existing building of any neighbouring properties or public safety. By reason of its size, internal lighting type and position on the ground floor of the front and side elevation, the proposed illumination is considered acceptable and not to result in any visual or amenity harm to any neighbouring properties or public safety. The application is considered to accord with The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013, as well as meeting with the principles of General Policies 2, 6, 7 and 8 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016 and not to undermine EP37. A condition will ensure no intermittent light source. - 8.0 INTERESTED PERSON STATUS
8.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2013 (As Amended), the following persons are automatically interested persons:
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 and/or rights to appeal.
Decision Made : Permitted Date: 14.10.2025 Determining Officer
Signed : C BALMER Chris Balmer Principal Planner
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