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January 2025 Prepared by: Ellis Brown, Architects 1 Sydney Mount, Douglas, IM1 3DB
The proposal is a change of use of the existing vacant office space (Class 2.1) to a proposed use of a children’s care facility (use class 4.2).
The proposal will take advantage of the existing footprint of the building and additional area by utilising the flat roof on the northern side of the building. This roof area will be transformed into an external children’s play space with a glazed barrier to enclose its perimeter.
Also included in this proposal is the rearrangement and modernisation of the existing entrances in conjunction with the works already applied for under application references PA: 24/91291/B and 24/01289/CON.
The proposal aligns with the Isle of Man Government strategic goals outlined in the 'Our Island, Our Future' Economic Strategy (2022). The introduction of a nursery within the city centre supports the Island’s objective to decarbonisation by 2030, encouraging sustainable transport and commuting options like walking due to the close proximity to places of employment.
Additionally, providing accessible childcare facilities contributes to workforce retention, aiding economic resilience and aligning with the government's aims to grow the working population to support recruitment across multiple key sectors. Furthermore, the facility contributes to the broader goal of increasing the Isle of Man’s population by providing essential family infrastructure, making the Island more attractive to economically active individuals to create families on island and bring from further abroad.
The proposal design has developed with the applicant to make the best use of the space available. Consideration has been given to the simple and safe / secure operation of the facility, to provide high quality and well-planned facility.
The facilities are designed in accordance with the design guidance form the Department of Education and Social Care (DESC) “Child Day Care Centres” – Minimum standards (Amended 27/10/2022) and in conjunction with discussion with the regulatory body (Refer consultations section)
The running and operation will be in accordance with the regulations and safeguarding requirements of the regulatory body – which the applicant has an exemplary record of running it’s other establishments, in Crosby and Willaston Douglas.
Current applications (PA: 24/91291/B and 24/01289/CON) are within the planning system for the approval of emergency repairs and the upgrading of the exiting entrances.
Other than the previous mentioned applications, there are no historical planning applications available/ indicated online.
The proposed opening hours for the facility are weekdays 7:45am – 6pm, to serve the intended clientele in the business, retail and service sectors all located within close proximity.
Sessions will be offered to provide flexibility for the various likely users from morning / afternoon to 2/3rd or ¾ days or full days. The full operation will be determined and varied as required to suit demand and need.
The applicant may wish to open at weekends between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm operation as a “drop off” facility.
This would be intended to provide a facility that parents/ carers can utilise for a short time while they used the shops in the city centre. This facility is yet to be confirmed, and it will be dependant on market demand, which has yet to be established.
The utilisation of this provision at weekends will have a reduced impact on the surrounding areas as the use is expected to be lower than that during the working week.
There will be approximately 15 members of staff throughout the facility to care for approx. 75 children & infants, all in accordance with Children Registration and inspections.
The proposal will maintain the existing level of off-road parking utilising the existing public parking services situated within the area and onsite with 2 spaces reserved for staff and the remaining 2 spaces as a dropoff point for parents. Please refer to the consultation with highways below for further information.
There have been a number of pre application consultations as noted below:-
The proposal is a change of use from an office space (Class 2.1) to a Children’s care facility (class 4.2), with utilisation of the existing roof space, has been well received.
It is hoped that the Planning Department will support this application and the aspirations of the applicant to provide a much needed, well-run high-quality childcare facility in the city centre.
Ellis Brown Drawings
Note that these layouts are indicative and are subject to alteration to adapt to the best use and operation of the spaces.
G Floor - Front (Room 1) 1st Floor – Front (Room 2)
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