28 November 2012 · Committee
Stores Offices & Premises, Main Road, Crosby, Isle Of Man, IM4 4bn
The application sought retrospective consent for advertising signage erected adjacent to the roadside boundary at John Lancaster House, Main Road, Crosby — a group of single-storey blockwork retail warehousing buildings with a large hardstanding car park to the front. The signs are plastic with a white background and red, black, and blue lettering, mounted on wooden posts. The site sits within an Area of High Landscape or Coastal Value and Scenic Significance, with residential properties directly opposite on the highway. The key policy test was General Policy 8 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan, which sets out the conditions under which advertising in rural areas can be permitted. Officers assessed that the signage relates directly to the premises on which it stands, is not illuminated, and does not detract from the appearance of the immediate area or landscape. The Planning Committee, which also considered a linked change-of-use application for the same site, agreed with the officer recommendation and granted permission.
The signs were judged to comply with General Policy 8 because they are located on the premises to which they relate, are not illuminated, and were not considered harmful to the rural landscape or highway safety. Highways Division confirmed no road safety concerns. The Planning Committee approved the application in line with the officer's recommendation.
General Policy 8
Within rural areas the display of external advertisements will be permitted only where: a) They are located on or directly next to the premises to which they relate; b) They do not detract from the appearance of either the immediate area or the landscape; c) They are normally constructed of traditional materials unless the nature of the display or location would render such materials inappropriate; d) Any illumination, which will be permitted only where it is essential, is kept to a minimum and is so hooded as to prevent undesirable escape of light; e) They are located so as not to cause a highway safety hazard; and f) Any illumination will not have an adverse effect on areas of ecological value.
General Policy 8: Within rural areas the display of external advertisements will be permitted only where: (a) they are located on or directly next to the premises to which they relate; (b) they do not detract from the appearance of either the immediate area or the landscape; (c) they are normally constructed of traditional materials unless the nature of the display or location would render such materials inappropriate; (d) any illumination, which will be permitted only where it is essential, is kept to a minimum and is so hooded as to prevent undesirable escape of light; (e) they are located so as not to cause a highway safety hazard; and (f) any illumination will not have an adverse effect on areas of ecological value. 6.7 Public Art 6.7.1 Our environment is improved by the provision of works of art in public places, particularly if that art reflects the cultural traditions or history of a particular area. 6.7.2 The Department will support the inclusion of such artwork in development proposals, and will expect such inclusion within major proposals. Artwork may take the form of public sculpture, s uch as the recently erected statues of T. E. Brown and Sir William Hillary in Douglas, or may be incorporated into features such as friezes, railings or landscaping. Commissions to locally based artists would be particularly welcome.
Condition 1
This permission relates to the erection of roadside advertising signage as shown in Elevation, Location Plan and Photograph received 9th October 2012.
Condition 2
For the avoidance of doubt, no approval is granted for the uses detailed on the signage shown on the photograph date stamped 21st September 2012.
