Officer Report

Application No.: 14/01215/B Applicant: Marown Memorial Playing Fields Ltd Proposal: Erection of an implement / store shed Site Address: Marown Memorial Playing Fields Old Church Road Crosby Isle Of Man IM4 2HA Case Officer : Miss Laura Davy Photo Taken: 04.11.2014 Site Visit: 04.11.2014 Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer’s Report

1.0 THE SITE - 1.1 The application site is the curtilage of Marown Memorial Playing Fields, Old Church Road, Crosby. The site includes the football fields, cricket pitches, skatepark, bowling green and children's play park as well as the Memorial Hall which is used for different functions, clubs and community events. The site is bound by mature trees on the western side, the railway line to the south and highway to the east. The site comes to a point at the northern side of the site which meets the eastern boundary.

2.0 THE PROPOSAL - 2.1 The application seeks approval for the erection of a implement/store shed on the playing field to the north of the skatepark. The building would be agricultural in style and would measure approximately 9.2m x 7.5m the building would be finished with metal sheeting. There would be a roller shutter door in the gable end with a separate pedestrian access. There would be two roof lights in either side.

3.0 PLANNING HISTORY - 3.1 The previous planning applications are not considered to be specifically material in the assessment of the current application.

4.0 DEVELOPMENT PLAN POLICIES - 4.1 The application site is within an "Area of Public Open Space" identified on the 1982 Development Plan. Given the nature of the application it is appropriate to consider General Policy 2 of The Isle of Man Strategic Plan (20th June 2007).

5.0 CONSULTATIONS - 5.1 Marown Commissioners, in a letter received 30th October 2014, comment on the application. They do not object.

6.0 ASSESSMENT - 6.1 The key considerations in the assessment of the application are the principle of the development, the need for the building and the impact upon the character and appearance of the site and area in general. - 6.2 The site is within an Area of Public Open Space and is currently used as Playing Fields with football and cricket pitch marked out. The site also provides a skatepark, children's play area and bowling green. The site provides a valuable community facility.

6.3 The site is identified for Public Open Space and the site is used for this purpose by way of this community facility. While the site is not zoned for development it is considered reasonable that those using the site require facilities associated with the use of the site such as storage for marquees, implements used for maintenance of the site and the storage of sports equipment. - 6.4 The building is modest in size and would be sited adjacent to the existing trees along the western boundary and just to the north of the skatepark. The building would be finished in dark green metal cladding and would be similar in appearance to an agricultural building. It is considered that the siting, design and finish would be appropriate for its use and would blend well with the site and area in general. Given that the building would be in keeping with the site it is considered that the proposal would comply with General Policy 2 part c) and g). - 6.5 There are no neighbouring properties within the vicinity of the site; it is therefore considered that the proposed building would not have an adverse impact upon the amenities of any of the neighbouring properties. - 6.6 For the above reasons the application is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for approval.

7.0 PARTY STATUS - 7.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No 2) Order 2013, the following persons are automatically interested persons:

• (a) The applicant, or if there is one, the applicant's agent;
• (b) The owner and the occupier of any land that is the subject of the application or any other person in whose interest the land becomes vested;
• (c) Any Government Department that has made written submissions relating to planning considerations with respect to the application that the Department considers material;
• (d) The Highways Division of the Department; and
• (e) The local authority, Marown Commissioners in whose district the land the subject of the application is situated.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation:

24.11.2014

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval

• N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal
• O : Notes attached to refusals

• C 1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.

• Reason: To comply with article 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (No2) Order 2013 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
• C 2. The external cladding of the building must be coloured dark green or dark brown or as otherwise approved by the Department. Reason: in order to mitigate the visual impact of the building in this otherwise open area.

This approval relates to the Site Plan, Location Plan and P5453-01 date stamped 23rd October 2014.

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

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 27/11/14 Determining officer (delete as appropriate) Signed :…………………………………….. Chris Balmer Senior Planning Officer Signed : Sarah Corlett Sarah Corlett Senior Planning Officer Signed :…………………………………….. Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control Signed :…………………………………….. Jennifer Chance Head of Development Management