27 April 2015 · Delegated
Shop Unit 3, Church Walk, St Pauls Square, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 1la
This application sought permission to convert part of the existing St Paul's Bookshop premises at Units 2 and 3 St Paul's Square, Ramsey, into a coffee bar with the ability to serve hot food. The site is a single-storey retail unit on the western side of St Paul's Square, forming part of the wider St Paul's Precinct shopping area. Residential apartments occupy the floors above. The application was decided under delegated authority and was permitted on 27 April 2015. The officer's report identified three main planning considerations: whether the proposed use was acceptable in principle, the potential impact on neighbouring residents and other users of the locality, and the effect on parking in the area. The officer recommended approval and the application was permitted in line with that recommendation.
The application was permitted on 27 April 2015 under delegated authority. The officer recommended approval, and the decision aligned with that recommendation. Key planning issues considered included whether the use was acceptable in principle, its potential impact on nearby residents and other users of the area, and the effect on parking.
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
Environment Policy 22
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007
Environment Policy 22: Development will not be permitted where it would unacceptably harm the environment and/or the amenity of nearby properties in terms of: i) pollution of sea, surface water or groundwater; ii) emissions of airborne pollutants; and iii) vibration, odour, noise or light pollution. 7.17.2 In addition to the above, changes in the activities associated with the current permitted use of land or a building, which in themselves do not constitute development and therefore do not require planning permission, can have an adverse impact on adjacent properties by virtue of noise, light or general disturbance. For example the addition of security lig hting on a property may cause light pollution affecting adjacent properties and the wider area. The introduction of new activities into established parks and recreation areas can have an impact on neighbours. In such cases the Department would advocate t he person or organisation considering the change to give careful consideration to the potential impact of such activity in terms of location, siting and design.
Town Centre Mixed Use
local plan policy
additional use of premises as a coffee bar only serving cold food
Most recently in 2013 planning approval was granted
approval in principle for 3 replacement shopfronts, St. Pauls Bookshop, 1, 2 & 3 Church Walk, St. Pauls Square, Ramsey
Previous to this he application site was the subject of one other planning application 1993
