4 July 2014 · Delegated
Clinches Courtyard, 4, North Quay, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 4lj
Permission was granted to change the use of three empty retail units at Clinches Court, North Quay, Douglas into a beauty therapy studio. The units form part of an inner courtyard next to the North Quay and sit below the shops fronting Bank Hill, within the Douglas North Quay Conservation Area. The officer considered several key issues: whether the site was a suitable location in principle for a beauty therapy studio, the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, and the impact on neighbouring land uses. The site location plan was also amended during the application after the applicant initially omitted one of the three units from the red line boundary. The application was approved on a delegated basis by the Department of Infrastructure, subject to one condition.
The Department of Infrastructure approved the change of use, subject to one condition. The key planning considerations were whether the location was suitable in principle for a beauty therapy studio, the effect on the Douglas North Quay Conservation Area, and the impact on neighbouring uses. The application was permitted on a delegated basis.
The Douglas urban area will remain the main employment and services centre for the Island.
The proposed use is considered appropriate for Clinches Court and accords with the mixed use town centre zoning of the area.
New development will be located within the defined settlements. Development will only be permitted in the countryside in accordance with General Policy 3.
The site is zoned for mixed use (town centre) by the Douglas Local Plan 1998.
The determination of matters under Part 2 (Development Control) and Part 3 (Special Controls) of the 1999 Town and Country Planning Act shall have regard to the provisions of the Development Plan and all other material considerations.
General Policy 1: The determination of matters under Part 2 (Development Control) and Part 3 (Special Controls) of the 1999 Town and Country Planning Act shall have regard to the provisions of the Development Plan and all other material considerations. In this way, development will be directed towards sui table or preferred locations and away from unsuitable or undesirable locations. 6.1.3 Several planning issues and policies apply throughout the Strategic Plan. These are set out in this chapter rather than being repeated in each of the subsequent chapters. 6.2 Development within land-use zones
Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development.
It is considered that the character and appearance of the Conservation Area would be preserved.
Environment Policy 35: Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development. 7.30 Development adjacent to Conservation Areas 7.30.1 It is often the case that important views into and out of a Conservation Area can contribute significantly to its character. It is necessary to assess the impact any development adjacent to conservation areas may have on such views.
The Department will require that in all new development, parking provision must be in accordance with the Department's current standards.
There has been no objection or comments from the Highways Service.
Transport Policy 7: The Department will require that in all new development, parking provision must be in accordance with the Department's current standards. The current standards are set out in Appendix 7. 11.5.4 New development can have a significant impact in terms of the traffic generated by it and the impact on the various modes of travel. The Department considers that proposals which are likely to be significant traffic generators should be accompanied by a Transport Assessment(1) which should look at all modes of transport including access by public transport, cycling and on foot.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
