Planning and Building Control Statement

Statement On Behalf Of The Planning And Building Control Division Of Department Of Infrastructure

PA 10/0348 - CREATION OF ADDITIONAL CAR PARKING AND MODIFICATIONS TO PATHS AND RAILING POSITIONS TO 1-6 COBBOLD PLACE (COMPRISING AMENDMENTS TO PA 08/1568) LAND AND HIGHWAY TO COBBOLD PLACE, BALLASALLA, MALEW

The Site

1. The site represents the curtilage of 1 - 6, Cobbold Place within Clagh Vane residential estate which is an area of public housing with a cul de sac of private dwellings (Oatfield Rise) and a primary school (Ballasalla Primary School). To the north east of the housing is Malew Football Clubhouse and grounds. Cobbold Place lies in the south western corner of the estate and comprises a terrace of six single storey dwellings with open grassed areas to the front and sides and individual gardens to the rear with vehicular accesses running around the curtilage on all sides. There is a communal parking area to the south west of number 6 which will accommodate approximately nine parking spaces.

Planning Status

1. The site lies within an area designated on the Town and Country Planning (Development Plan) Order 1982 as Residential. On the draft Southern Area Plan which was published on 23rd October, 2009 the site lies within an area of Residential use with a Regeneration Area close by within the estate.

Planning History

1. Planning permission was granted for the creation of parking and landscaping around these properties, under PA 08/1568 which showed a parking lay-by for seven cars to the front of the site with a pergola, paths and grass between the spaces and the fronts of the dwellings.

The Proposal

1. Now proposed is an amendment to the approved landscaping scheme, essentially providing addition parking provision through the re-orientating the spaces so that they are at right angles to the estate road rather than parallel to it, creating a total of fourteen spaces including two which are suitable for disabled persons. New trees are to be planted in the centre of the parking space area with a pergola entrance to the pathways leading to the dwellings. Outside of the site and within the curtilage of the highway are surfacing works to the junction including the provision of junction road markings.
2. The scheme has resulted from the need to provide additional parking spaces in this vicinity as a result of the likelihood that the primary school will not be relocated in the foreseeable future and the school traffic coming to and going from the school with children being dropped off and the possibility of this traffic clashing with that of the residents trying to find a parking space.

Representations

1. Hazel Fletcher, representing the Department of Infrastructure Highways and Traffic Division indicates that they have no objection to the application but that the applicant should consult the Network Planning Section prior to starting work.
2. The Manx Electricity Authority indicate that there are existing services in the area and the applicant should consult the Manx Electricity Authority prior to starting work. This is a matter for the on-site contractor and is not a material planning matter and should not be referred to in the schedule of conditions attached to any approval.

1. The amended proposals result in less grassed area than was previously being retained, but propose seven more parking spaces than were previously provided, which are welcome in this part of the estate.

1. The site lies on the route to and from Ballasalla Primary School and as such, there may well be conflict between school-related traffic and residents and as such, the provision of parking spaces for the residents, as well as additional spaces for visitors or drivers passing through would be welcome. The manner in which these spaces are to be provided retain some of the green open space which presently characterises the area as well as providing new tree planting and an entrance feature and pathways.

1. In summary, it is considered that the application provides much-needed car parking facilities in the area, whilst maintaining green, open space for the benefit of the occupants of Cobbold Place. As such the application is considered worthy of support. There are no especial conditions required in respect of any approval of this application.

This statement has been prepared on the behalf of the Planning and Building Control Division of the Department of Infrastructure, by Miss Sarah Corlett, BSc (Hons), MRTPI, Planning Officer

_____________________________ Date __________ 16-4-12