Information in relation to condition 16 of PA 23/01407/B providing details for a scheme to limit potential impacts on the River's fish population (River Neb)

Strategic Plan

In order to protect aquatic habitat and species pursuant to Environment Policy 8 of the Strategic Plan.

he surrounding area. Archaeology 52 Environment Policies 40 and 41 of the Strategic Plan deal with the development of known or potential archaeological sites. It is not clear to me that Urban Environment Proposal 8 adds anything useful to these policies. The final sentence of Urban Environment Proposal 8, which states that there is no presumption against the development of archaeological sites, appears potentially to contradict Environment Policy 40 of the Strategic Plan, which indicates that development which would damage, disturb or detract from an archaeological site or its setting will not be permitted. I recommend that Urban Environment Proposal 8 be deleted from the draft Area Plan. Railway Architecture 53 Urban Environment Proposal 9 refers to the protection of station buildings, gate-keeper's huts and other line-side structures. However, it seems to me that if they are worthy of preservation, these buildings should be registered. While I do not doubt their cultural importance, in the absence of their registration, it is not clear to me how the planning authority could prevent their demolition or removal. I recommend that Urban Environment Proposal 9 be deleted from the draft Area Plan. CHAPTER 7 - TRANSPORT AND UTILITIES Highways Traffic Congestion 54 The Area Plan recognises that that there is already traffic congestion at the Quarterbridge junction; at the junction between Mountain Road and Governor's Road; and at the junction between Glencrutchery Road and Victoria Road. The evidence is that if all the development sites identified in the draft Area Plan were to be built-out, and no improvements were made to the road system, there would be a significant increase in congestion in Douglas and Onchan. Modelling commissioned by the Government suggests that, in the worst case, the average speed of traffic during the afternoon peak could decrease from 19mph to 12mph. Some journey times would be likely to increase by more than 100%, when compared with 2016 data. This would affect both private and public transport. However, it seems to me that, in practice, this worst case scenario is unlikely to arise. 55 Opportunities for additional carriageway provision are very limited and none are proposed in Douglas or Onchan in the Area Plan. However, there may be potential for limited highway improvements in the proposed Comprehensive Treatment Areas. Additionally, there is scope for the installation of an improved system of traffic signals, which could improve the capacity of the existing road network, particularly at junctions. Further mitigation could result from the introduction of the Active Travel Strategy, whereby drivers are to be encouraged to walk or cycle to their destinations, where this is practicable. Children living reasonably close to their school could be encouraged to walk there (perhaps in a supervised 'walking bus'); or go by bike. Reduced car use might also be achieved by a modal shift in favour of public transport; or car travellers could be encouraged to share a single vehicle, wherever possible. There may also be increasing scope for some office workers to undertake their duties at home, by making use of IT facilities. 56 Experience has shown that increasing peak period road congestion often results in 'peak spreading', where car users choose to begin their journeys a little earlier (or later) in order to avoid the worst delays. Congestion charging has also been shown to be an effective way of managing peak period delays. However, a degree of peak hour congestion is characteristic of most urban areas, and is perhaps an inevitable consequence of mass car commuting. Cycle Parking and Changing Facilities 57 The Braddan Parish Commissioners argued that the provision of cycle parking and changing facilities should be encouraged at places of employment. I agree. Chapter 11.5.3 of the Strategic Plan already states that 'consideration should be given to cycle parking for staff … in non-residential development'. However, I consider that such provision could appropriately be required as part of a development brief for any proposed employment site. I also consider that employers should be encouraged to introduce Travel Plans, with the aim of reducing the level of car commuting. I recommend that the provision of cycle parking and changing facilities, and the production of a Travel Plan, should be considered for any proposed employment development. Park and Ride 58 The Braddan Parish Commissioners, Miss P Newton and others urged that consideration be given to the introduction of a 'park and ride' scheme, whereby drivers entering Douglas would be encouraged to leave their vehicles at a peripheral car park and complete their journeys by bus. I understand that a previous 'park and ride' scheme had only limited success, and no firm proposal to try again has been put forward by any Government Department. I see no purpose in allocating land for a park and ride facility in the Area Plan, unless there is a good prospect of the requisite investment being made to bring such a scheme to f