Officer Report and Recommendation

Case Officer: Miss S E Corlett Photo Taken: Site Visit: Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer's Report

The Site

1. The site defined in red is the land owned and controlled by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, which includes Bradda Head and Glen and the Bradda Glen cafe building, surrounds and car park. The site itself focuses on the cafe building and particularly the land alongside which is presently a grassed area with palm trees around the outside. To the north of the site are numbers 2, 3 and 4, Bradda Glen Close, two storey houses which have a timber fence bordering the grassed area.

The Proposal

1. Proposed is the creation of a play area. No trees are to be removed as part of the proposal. The area is relatively flat and the proposal will not involve any excavation of change in the profile of the site. The equipment is aimed at children aged between 5 and 8 years of age - a small spinner, a little tent, a play ship, spring chicken and climbing frame and bridge, none taller than 2m. The area will be finished in grass safety tiles through which grass will grow, rather than having solid matting.

1. It is the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's aim to continue to develop the recreational provision at the Bradda Glen and headland site and they consider that a small playground, as is proposed would assist this aim. They are hoping to create a sculpture walk through the Glen for which a separate application will be submitted.

Planning Status And Policy

1. The site is within an area designated on the Port Erin Local Plan of 1990 as part Public House and part Public Open Space. On the draft Southern Area Plan the site lies within an area of Open Space.

1. Both the draft Southern Area Plan and the Strategic Plan acknowledge the importance of open space both to the quality of life and the health of the population but neither go into the specific detail of how the various areas of public open space should be laid out or equipped.

Planning History

1. There has been a previous application for a play area close to the cafe. PA 10/01465 proposed the creation of a rest area, observation point, picnic area and pathway improvements. The application also included the provision of a play area but following objections from adjacent neighbours, this element of the application was withdrawn. The play area was to be in the same location as it is now proposed but there was little information in

Application No.:	12/01622/B
Applicant:	Department Of Environment Food And Agriculture
Proposal:	Installation of a new playground
Site Address:	Bradda Glen Bradda Glen Port Erin Isle Of Man IM9 6PJ

respect of impact on trees and the type of equipment - a roundabout and basket swings - may have led to use by older children and the potential for a concentration of antisocial behaviour, which was the concerns of those closest to the proposed play area.

Representations

1. Port Erin Commissioners raise no objection to the application subject to the provision of a perimeter fence to ensure the safety of the children using the area and to prevent dog fouling.

1. The Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority recommend that public sewerage crosses the site and no construction or tree planting may take place within 3m of the sewer.

Assessment

1. The applicant has discussed the proposal with Port Erin Commissioners and intends to erect a low fence which would be within the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order 2012 and which could be erected regardless of the proposal for play equipment.

1. The area could and may well already be being used for children's play although not formally as there is no equipment. The site is part of a publicly accessible area where a variety of recreational and leisure facilities should be welcomed. Whilst there are residential properties close by, it is not considered that the play equipment as proposed will adversely affect the amenities of these properties.

1. As such, the proposal is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for approval.

Party Status

1. The local authority, Port Erin Commissioners are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status.

1. The Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority raise material planning concerns and should be afforded party status in this case.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 14.01.2013

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

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 creation of a children's play area as shown and described in drawings received on 10th December 2012.

N 1.

The local authority has recommended that fencing should be erected to prevent dog fouling and to ensure the safety of children playing in the proposed play area. Such fencing up to 1m in height may be erected under the provisions of Class 39 of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order 2005.

N 2.

The application is recommended to consult the Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority in respect of working in proximity to a public sewer.

I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control / Development Control Manager/ Senior Planning Officer.

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 15/1/13

Determining officer (delete as appropriate)

Signed : _________________________ Anthony Holmes Senior Planning Officer

Signed : _________________________ Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control

Signed : _________________________ Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer

Signed : _________________________ Jennifer Chance Development Control Manager