13 February 2013 · Delegated
Sure Mobile, 10, Parliament Street, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 1ap
This application sought permission to convert the first and second floors of 10 Parliament Street, Ramsey into living accommodation. The building is a three-storey semi-detached property on the northern side of Parliament Street, with retail at ground floor level and beauty therapy use on the upper floors at the time of the application. The Department of Infrastructure approved the application on 13 February 2013, acting under delegated authority. The officer also recommended approval. The main planning issues examined were the effect on the amenity of nearby residents, whether the proposed home would provide a satisfactory living environment, the impact on the Conservation Area, and parking. Permission was granted subject to two conditions.
The Department of Infrastructure approved the application. The key planning considerations were the impact on neighbouring residents' amenity, whether the new home would offer a satisfactory standard of living, the effect on the Conservation Area, and parking. The application was permitted with two conditions attached.
Use of Upper Floors For Residential Purposes
Ramsey Local Plan Order 1998
3.15 Policy R/R/P4: Use Of Upper Floors For Residential Purposes The upper floors above shops are often under-used. Use of this space for residential purposes will be encouraged, subject to compliance with the Housing (Flats) Regulations. Change of use from residential to office use will not generally be permitted.
Upper Floors
Ramsey Local Plan Order 1998
on, it is considered that residential use on upper floors of commercial buildings should continue to be permitted in order to assist in the buildings' maintenance and refurbishment (reference: Policy R/TC/P3). ## Traffic Management
General Policy 2
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
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
Environmental Policy 35
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
Environment Policy 35: Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development. 7.30 Development adjacent to Conservation Areas 7.30.1 It is often the case that important views into and out of a Conservation Area can contribute significantly to its character. It is necessary to assess the impact any development adjacent to conservation areas may have on such views.
Housing Policy 17
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
Housing Policy 17: The conversion of buildings into flats will generally be permitted in residential areas provided that: (a) adequate space can be provided for clothes -drying, refuse storage, general amenity, and, if practical, car-parking; (b) the flats created will have a pleasant clear outlook, particularly from the principal rooms and (c) if possible, this involves the creation of parking on site or as part of an overall traffic management strategy for the area. 8.13.4 In recent years, interest has grown in the development of residential dwellings from redundant commercial space, primarily above shops. In the United Kingdom, inspira tion for such development came from the LOTS initiative (Living Over The Shop) started in 1989 and the FOS programme (Flats Over the Shop), set up in 1991. The Department generally supports the conversion of redundant storage space above shops (which are often outside of residential areas), into residential development unless the occupants would suffer adverse noise, general disturbance or loss of residential amenity from other land uses. 8.14 Loss of Housing 8.14.1 In the current housing situation, the Department is concerned to ensure that there is no unwarranted loss of existing housing which is fit for habitation or could be made so at reasonable cost.
Transport Policy 7
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
Transport Policy 7: The Department will require that in all new development, parking provision must be in accordance with the Department's current standards. The current standards are set out in Appendix 7. 11.5.4 New development can have a significant impact in terms of the traffic generated by it and the impact on the various modes of travel. The Department considers that proposals which are likely to be significant traffic generators should be accompanied by a Transport Assessment(1) which should look at all modes of transport including access by public transport, cycling and on foot.
Condition 1
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Condition 2
This approval for the conversion of upper floors of building from beauty therapy salon and offices into living accommodation relates to drawing reference SM12/297/1 and SM12/297/2 both date stamped 24th December 2012.
