2 July 2013 · Committee
Grand Island Hotel, Bride Road, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 3uq
The proposal involves erecting 35 apartments arranged in five blocks on the site of the former Grand Island Hotel in Ramsey. The development includes a combination of underground and surface-level parking with visitor and disabled spaces, roads, landscaping, a gatehouse and an electricity substation. Key planning issues assessed included parking and highway access, affordable housing, bin storage, external lighting, and tree protection during construction. The Highways Division concluded that the parking and access arrangements met their standards. Affordable housing was addressed through a legal agreement securing a commuted sum in lieu of on-site provision. The officer concluded that, while some reservations about the design of the buildings remained, the development of this important site was in accordance with established policy.
The committee agreed with the officer that the development was acceptable overall. Highway access and parking met the required standards, and affordable housing obligations were secured by legal agreement. Although some design concerns were noted, the scheme was judged to be in accordance with established planning policy for this significant brownfield site.
Condition 1
The use must be taken up within four years of the date of this notice in order for this approval to remain valid after that time.
Condition 2
This approval relates to the erection of 35 apartments arranged in five blocks with underground parking, roads, landscaping, gatehouse and electricity sub station, site of former Grand Island Hotel, Bride Road, Ramsey as shown by WJ_014_0001 Rev E, WJ_014_0002 Rev E, WJ_014_0003 Rev B, WJ_014_0004 Rev B, WJ_014_0005 Rev B, WJ_014_0006 Rev A, WJ_014_0007 Rev A, WJ_014_0008 Rev A, WJ_014_0009 Rev A, WJ_014_0013, 2012-044-001 REV A, PL364/1 REV C, 01, REC SITE ACCESS, GSA FLOOD RISK, TIM SPEED TRANSPORT, MIDLAND TREES and DESIGN STATEMENT all received 23rd July 2012.
Condition 3
All planting, seeding or turfing comprised in the approved details of landscaping must be carried out in the first planting and seeding seasons following the completion of the development or the occupation of the apartments, whichever is the sooner. Any trees or plants which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased must be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species.
Condition 4
For the avoidance of doubt, no approval is granted or implied for external lighting. Any proposed external lighting would require a separate planning application to be submitted.
Condition 5
Bin storage for the approved development shall take place only in accordance with the description set out in the letter from the applicant’s agent date stamped 25th October 2012.
Condition 6
With the exception of the trees shown by drawing 01 as being "Category R (Red) Trees", all trees must be protected during construction works associated with the approved development in accordance with the measures set out by drawing 01 and the Midland Tree Survey. Any trees which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased must be replaced in the next planting season with others of the same species and as near to the same size as possible and retained as such thereafter.
Condition 7
None of the approved apartments may be occupied until the access and parking have been put in place in accordance with the approved plans and are available for use.
