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Application No.: 10/01144/C Applicant: Mr Paul McCann Proposal: Change of use of existing bar / snooker hall to a gymnasium Site Address: - Victoria Buildings - Parliament Street - Ramsey - Isle Of Man - IM8 1AX ### Considerations Case Officer: Miss Laura Davy Photo Taken: 26.08.2010 Site Visit: 26.08.2010 Expected Decision Level: Senior Planning Officer ### Written Representations ### Consultations Consultee: Highways Division Notes: do not oppose. Consultee: Clerk To The Commissioners Notes:**
The application site relates to the existing bar/snooker hall, Victoria Buildings, Parliament Street, Ramsey. The site is currently used as a bar and snooker hall which is spread over the first and second floor; this is above two shop units which are on the ground floor.
Proposed is the change of use of the existing bar/snooker hall to a gymnasium. The first floor would provide an exercise studio, seating area, consultation area and w.c. The second floor would provide the main gymnasium/machine room and washroom facilities. There would be no external alterations.
The following previous planning applications are considered specifically material in the assessment of the current application:
The above applications were permitted.
3 September 2010 10/01144/C Page 1 of 4
The application site is within an area which is zoned as an area of "Mixed Use Town Centre" identified on the Ramsey Local Plan 1998. It is appropriate to consider Policy R/TC/P3 Upper Floors of Planning Circular 2/99 and the relevant points from General Policy 2 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (20th June 2007).
Ramsey Commissioners have not commented Highways Division do not oppose.
Given the nature of the application, it is appropriate to consider Policy R/TC/P3 Upper Floors, which states: "The use of upper floors as retail units, offices and apartments shall be encouraged particularly where premises are currently vacant."
It is also appropriate to consider the relevant points from General Policy 2 which are: "(c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape;
The application seeks approval for the change of use of the existing snooker hall/bar to a gymnasium. Planning Circular 2/99 supports the change of use of upper floors above existing shops. As mentioned earlier the policy encourages the change of use of the upper floors to retail units, offices and apartments.
The main issues to consider are the land use zoning, impact to neighbouring properties, impact to highways and parking.
The application site is within an area zoned as "Mixed Use Town Centre", it is considered that in terms of land use the proposed change of use would be acceptable.
Within the street there are a mixture of retail units, apartments, cafes, restaurants and bars. The neighbouring properties which adjoin the application site have shops on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floors. It is difficult to assess whether there would be an increase in numbers using the site, as there are no figures for the use of the snooker hall/bar.
The opening hours of the gymnasium would be more appropriate than that of a snooker hall/bar. The figures that have been supplied suggest that the latest the gymnasium would be open would be until 9 pm on weekdays and 5 pm at weekends, and would be limited until 2pm on Bank Holidays. The peak times are between 7am - 8:30am and 6pm until 8pm. There is potential of noise from the application site, however in terms of the existing use of the site, it is considered that there would not be an increase. At present the applicant's existing gymnasium has 200 members, and from the signing in sheet, the statistics show that there are on average a maximum of 5 people using the gym per hour.
Given the opening times, number of users and the peak times, it is considered that the change of use would not be detrimental to the users of the neighbouring property.
There are no external alterations proposed to the property. It is considered that the proposed change of use would have a neutral impact on the character and appearance of the property within the street scene.
There is no designated parking available as part of the application, however the application site is within the town centre and is close to existing transport links, there is also a large public car park to the rear of Victoria Mall which is disc zoned. As mentioned in the information provided by the applicant, the peak times are between 7am-8:30am and 6pm-8pm, with this in mind I do not believe it would result in a significant increase in on street parking. Given the peak times, it would suggest that the majority of gym members would be visiting the premises before or after work, therefore having minimal impact to the retail/office users.
For the above reasons the application is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for approval.
The local authority is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (c) and (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status.
The Department of Transport Highways and Traffic Division is now part of the Department of Infrastructure of which the planning authority is part. As such, the Highways and Traffic Division cannot be afforded party status in this instance.
Recommended Decision: Permitted
Date of Recommendation: 03.09.2010
C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
C 2. This permission relates to the change of use of existing bar/snooker hall to a gymnasium shown in drawings 10/0710/1, 10/0710/2, 10/0710/3 and Business Details 30th July 2010.
C 3. The business carried out on the premises may only be operated between the hours of 0700 hours until 2100 hours Monday to Friday, 1000 hours 1700 hours at weekends and 1000 hours until 1400 hours on Bank Holidays.
I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to the Senior Planning Officer.
Decision Made : Permitted Date : 29/9/10
Signed : Senior Planning Officer
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