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Application No.: 24/91267/D Applicant: S&S Motors Limited Proposal: Remove existing illuminated totem price signage. Install proposed new illuminated price signage and relocate existing illuminated signage to existing forecourt canopy Site Address: Garage & Premises Alexandra Road Castletown Isle Of Man IM9 1TE Planning Officer: Lucy Kinrade Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 12.12.2024 _________________________________________________________________
C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions
Reason: to prevent unwarranted illumination at times when the premises is closed for business in the interest of visual and neighbouring amenity.
This application has been recommended for approval for the following reason.
The removal of the existing totem would help towards improving highway safety at this site, and subject to lighting conditions the proposed illuminated signage is considered acceptable and not to result in any visual or amenity harm to any neighbouring properties, visual amenity 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 6 and 7 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016.
Plans/Drawings/Information;
This approval relates to the following all date received 08/11/2024 and date published online 15/11/2024:
Interested Person Status None
_________________________________________________________________ Officer’s Report
1.0 THE SITE - 1.1 Site relates to an existing petrol station sitting along Alexandra Road, Castletown.
2.0 THE PROPOSAL - 2.1 Approval is sought for:
3.0 PLANNING HISTORY - 3.1 13/01197/D sought permission for the relocation of illuminated totem signage to another location along the road. This application was withdrawn but the reasons why are unknown.
4.1 In terms of local plan policy, the application site lies within an area designated on the Area Plan for the South 2013 as Industrial. The site is not within the conservation area and is not recognised as being at any flood risk. - 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. These policies cover advertisements in both town and village centres.
5.0 REPRESENTATIONS Copies of representations received can be viewed on the government's website. This report contains summaries only.
5.1 Comments have been sought from the following and no responses received as of 12/12/2024:
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 proposal in this case seeks to removal a large totem which currently sits close to the road and limits some views when exiting the site. Its removal will works towards improving visibility on exit and overall highway safety for users of the site. - 6.3 The replacement fuel pricing signage is to be integrated into the existing forecourt canopy, and this arrangement is not an uncommon situation. The siting, design and location is considered acceptable and not overbearing or dominant. The pricing sign is sized to be readable to passing traffic without causing distraction. - 6.4 That other signage which is to be relocated on the canopy is also considered acceptable and not expected to result in any new or increased impacts beyond the existing situation. Illumination - 6.5 The application site is long established as a petrol station and where there is already an expected level of activity and the existing totem pricing is already illuminated. The new pricing signage is to be similarly illuminated and this is not considered to be unreasonable or to result in any increased or new adverse impacts beyond the existing situation to cause any significant or increased harm on the public or to neighbouring properties. - 6.6 Similarly the relocation of the existing illuminated signs are not expected to result in any new, adverse or increased changes or impacts to the overall site and are also considered acceptable. - 6.7 The level of illumination is not expected to result in any increased or adverse light pollution beyond the existing situation and in this location; however there would be less of a need for the signage outside of operating hours. After speaking with a representative from the petrol station, they confirmed that the signage was turned on and off dependent on when the business was open or closed and this made it more easily identifiable to passing motorist and customers. They were happy with the suggested condition that the signage only be illuminated when the business was open to the public, and turned off any other time, and were also happy with the standard condition to preventing any illumination by intermittent source also be included.
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 and the removal of the totem would help towards improving highway safety at this site. Subject to conditions the proposed illumination is considered acceptable and not to result in any visual or amenity harm to any neighbouring properties or public safety.
7.2 The application is considered to accord with The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013, as well as meeting with the principles of General Policies 6 and 7 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016. - 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:
8.2 The decision maker must determine:
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: 17.12.2024 Determining Officer Signed : J SINGLETON Jason Singleton Principal Planner
Customer note This copy of the officer report reflects the content of the office copy and has been produced in this form for the benefit of our online service/customers and archive record.
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