22 July 2014 · Committee
New Store, North Shore Road, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 3db
This application related to the former gas works site on North Shore Road in Ramsey, Isle of Man. It proposed demolishing the redundant gas works structures and building thirty new dwellings, along with associated roads and parking. The scheme also included re-cladding an existing commercial building on the site. The application was decided by committee and was permitted on 22 July 2014. The case officer was Miss Sarah Corlett BSc Hons, MRTPI, and the officer report indicates a recommendation to approve the scheme.
The application was permitted by committee on 22 July 2014. The officer report indicates a recommendation to approve, though detailed reasons are not available in the supplied evidence.
Residential Development within Development Area 1
Arbory and East Rushen Local Plan of 1999
Arbory and East Rushen Local Plan of 1999
Policy C/P/1
Arbory and East Rushen Local Plan of 1999
Arbory and East Rushen Local Plan of 1999
Strategic Policy 1
Isle of Man Strategic Plan
Strategic Policy 1: Development should make the best use of resources by: (a) optimising the use of previously developed land, redundant buildings, unused and under -used land and buildings, and re - using scarce indigenous building materials; (b) ensuring efficient use of sites, taking into account the needs for access, landscaping, open space (1) and amenity standards; and (c) being located so as to utilise existing and planned infrastructure, facilities and services. 4.2.2 In pursuance of (c) abo ve, the Department will, when formulating its programme for the preparation of new Area Plans, have particular regard to: (a) the availability of mains drainage connected to IRIS or other mains systems; (b) securing the future viability of rural primary schools; (c) the public investment in the Island's highway, bus, railway and tramway networks; (d) the provision and availability of water; and (e) community facilities. 4.3 Environment 4.3.1
The Department will require all applications for major development to be accompanied by a Transport Assessment
Isle of Man Strategic Plan
Transport Policy 8: The Department will require all applications for major development to be accompanied by a Transport Assessment. 11.6 Airports and Airfields 11.6.1 Whilst it is acknowledged that airport development in general will be necessary in order to serve the economic and recreational needs of the Island, such need should be balanced against the environmental consequences that development may have, in particular visual, traffic, and noise impacts. 11.6.2 The aim of the Department of Transport Airports Division is "to ensure that sufficient operating capacity is provided to meet present and anticipated demand, so that the travelling public have the facilities and service they require." The Ronaldsway Airport Master Plan published by the Department of Transport in April 2000 anticipates that the Airp ort will require increasing levels of space in order to satisfy a projected Island economic growth rate of 4% p.a. and to operate efficiently in the future. The Master Plan indicates that space is likely to be required for uses such as hangar/engineering development, apron extension, and car parking. In 2006, planning permission was granted for Runway End Safety Areas (RESA)/runway extension and, at the time of writing, was the subject of an appeal. The Department of Transport updated the Airport Master Pl an in 2006. This indicates that any new or extended facilities required by growth in air traffic and/or passenger numbers for the low and high forecasts including in the Master Plan can be accommodated within the existing perimeter of the airport. Accord ingly, while the Spatial Strategy identifies the Gateway role of the Airport there do not appear to be any strategic land use implications from the Master Plan. The recent announcement by the Department of Transport to provide a by-pass to the East of Bal lasalla will resolve current problems within the village; improve access to the Airport from Douglas; and address any traffic generated by growth in the use of the airport. 11.6.3 The operation of the Airport in a safe and efficient manner also depends u pon the safeguarding of approach and departure routes to ensure that new development does not represent an undue risk to air travellers or those on the ground. Policies and guidance in respect of the location, size, and form of new development in the vicin ity of Ronaldsway Airport should be included in the area plan covering Castletown and Malew. Associated with the principal Runway 08, extending south -west over Castletown is the Public Safety Zone (PSZ). While the area covered by the PSZ has been reduced twice in the past 20 years in response to increased aviation safety it remains the case that this is the area within which there is statistically a higher risk of an aircraft accident. It is therefore proper practice that, within the PSZ, planning permiss ion should not be granted for any development proposal which is likely to increase significantly the number of persons residing, working, or congregating within the zone. The DoT (Airports Division) should be consulted in relation to development in this ar ea. This area will be incorporated into the new Area Plan for the South. 11.6.4 Jurby Airfield is vested in the Department of Transport but is not licensed, with responsibility for the co -ordination of all activities - whether or not aviation -related - delegated to the Department of Tourism and Leisure. Whilst aviation activity at the airfield is generally limited (1) Transport Assessment is defined in Appendix 1 to lightweight aircraft and occasional military and display uses and there is no current plan to develop Jurby Airfield for other aviation purpo ses, it is the Department of Transport's policy to continue to safeguard the main runway for future emergency and general aviation use only. Andreas Airfield is private and unregistered. It is used for general aviation and by a flying club and as an emer gency landing strip when Ronaldsway is fogbound. Future growth of aviation may require other aviation sites. Should this prove to be the case they will need to be assessed against the environmental policies of the Plan. Any other airfields on the Island are privately owned and unlicensed, and whilst they may not be subject to formal safeguarding requirements the impact of new development on the use of such facilities should be carefully considered.