18 December 2014 · Delegated
Salon Rouge, Diamond House, Demesne Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 3ds
This retrospective application sought permission for the conversion of the ground floor of Diamond House, Demesne Road, Douglas, into a children's nursery. The building is a two-storey end unit at the junction of Demesne Road and Westmoreland Road, prominent within the street scene. The surrounding area includes a mix of uses such as car sales, workshops, offices, retail, education, health care, and residential properties. This mixed-use context was noted in the officer's assessment of the site. Permission was granted on 18 December 2014, subject to two conditions. The officer recommended approval and the decision was taken under delegated powers.
The application was approved, subject to two conditions. The officer recommended approval and the decision was made under delegated powers. The site sits within a mixed-use area including offices, retail, education, and residential uses, which supported the change of use to a children's nursery.
General Policy 2
the planning application is in accordance with the provisions 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
Community Policy 2
Community Policy 2: New community facilities should be located to serve the local population and be accessible to non -car users, and should where possible re-use existing vacant or underused buildings. 10.7.2 Local community facilities are important in providing for local communities without the need for travel and should be retained unless the site or premises are no longer suitable for the current or an alternative community use. Developers will be expected to demonstrate that the potential to use the site or building for other community uses has been investigated.
Transport Policy 4
Transport Policy 4: The new and existing highways which serve any n ew development must be designed so as to be capable of accommodating the vehicle and pedestrian journeys generated by that development in a safe and appropriate manner, and in accordance with the environmental objectives of this plan. 11.3.2 Notwithstanding policies within this plan which encourage travel by means other than private car it is anticipated that the number of vehicles using the Island's roads will continue to increase. This increase in demand is likely to lead to a greater need for road impro vements in order that travel can take place in a safe, effective, and environmentally acceptable manner. The Department of Transport will continue to assess the need for such improvements to public highways and undertake works where appropriate, with much of the improvement within existing roads carried out under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order2005. The need for improvements to the Island's highway network must be balanced against the environmental objectives of this plan.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
The maximum number of children attending the building at any one time shall not exceed thirty two.
Conversion of vacant warehouse / workshop to provide gymnasium to ground floor and a childcare facility to first floor with associated parking provision. The external alterations approved under this scheme have been carried out.
Change of use of part of existing therapy room facilities to provide creche for use by members during their visit to the gym.
Enclosure of area under existing canopy to front of shop area to create a coffee lounge.
Alteration and conversion of redundant storage area to a gymnasium to be used in conjunction with existing health/beauty facility (Amendment to PA 11/01148/B).
Alteration and conversion of redundant storage area to a gymnasium to be used in conjunction with existing health/beauty facility.
Conversion of existing ground floor office and first floor store to a hairdresser's salon with treatment and therapy rooms.