16 June 2014 · Delegated
Lifestyle Furniture, Unit 16a, Snugborough Trading Estate, Union Mills, Isle Of Man, IM4 4lg
This retrospective application sought permission to erect advertising signage at Unit 16A Snugborough Trading Estate, Union Mills, Braddan. The sign had already been installed at the time of the application. The Department of Infrastructure refused the application on the grounds that the signage would harm the visual amenity of the area. Officers noted that there were already several freestanding signs relating to the application site in the vicinity, including signs within a nearby car park and a directional sign directly opposite the estate access. Adding further signage was considered to introduce additional clutter and intensify the proliferation of signs in the area. The officer report also identified the impact of the signage on highway safety as a key issue, alongside its effect on the appearance of the locality.
The Department of Infrastructure refused this retrospective application. The new sign was considered to add further clutter to an area already affected by multiple existing signs relating to the site and Snugborough Trading Estate, causing a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the locality.
Refusal Reasons
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
the planning application is contrary to the conditions set out in General Policy 2
General Policy 2: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; (j) can be provided with all necessary services; (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption. 6.3 Development outside of areas zoned for development
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
General Policy 6: Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements will be permitted on the site or building to which they relate provided they: (a) are of a high standard of design and materials and relate well to the building and site on which they are to be displayed; (b) are in keeping with and do not detract from the surrounding area; and (c) are located so as not to cause a highway safety hazard.
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
General Policy 7: Within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements on sites or buildings other than those to which they relate will not generally be permitted. 6.6.3 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.
retention of two signs, 1 within the site and one opposite the warehouse
erection of advertising signage, one at the immediate entrance and a further sign to the east of the entrance
erection of signage on the front elevation of the building
erection of signage at the entrance to Snugborough Trading Estate
erection of three advertising signs at the entrance to the trading estate
erection of two signs that would have the same dimensions, and would be either side of the entrance to the Trading Estate