16 April 2025 · Committee
60, Snaefell Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 6ng
Permission was granted for the temporary use of the former residential plots at 60 and 62 Snaefell Road, Douglas, as a site storage compound. The application was partly retrospective, meaning some of the use was already in place when the application was submitted. Permission runs until March 2026. The site, which previously accommodated a pair of semi-detached houses, is currently used as a builders' yard. At the time of the officer's assessment, it contained shipping containers, multiple skips of varying sizes, a scaffold rack, and openly stored construction materials. The committee considered the principle of the change of use, the potential impact on residential amenity, and the effect on the character and appearance of the area.
The committee approved the application for temporary use of the land as a site storage compound until March 2026. The key planning issues considered were the principle of the change of use, the impact on nearby residents, and the effect on the character and appearance of the area. The application was partly retrospective, as some of the use had already begun before permission was sought. The formal decision record lists 6 conditions.
Strategic Policy 1 (a)
making the best use of resources
General Policy 2 (b) (c) (g) (h) (i) (k)
Environment Policy 22
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.
Environment Policy 43
the continued regeneration within Douglas, particularly around the Promenades and Quayside and Douglas Regeneration Area to create further housing, employment, retail and leisure opportunities. Environment Policy 43 of the Strategic Plan recognises that there are some areas showing signs of deterioration and degradation, limited investment, empty and underused buildings, derelict sites and generally poor environments. It suggests that areas that could benefit from regeneration should be identified in Area Plans and any schemes or proposals whether for refurbishment, environmental improvements or complete redevelopment must be formulated by involving the local community which would be directly affected by the regeneration of the area. Re-use of sound built fabric, rather than its demolition will be encouraged. Comprehensive Treatment Area Objectives The objectives are to: i. Optimise use of land and buildings; ii. Unlock difficult sites; iii. Assist with a co-ordinated approach to development; iv. Improve the urban environment and visual amenity; v. Encourage further investment; vi. Provide for space for Douglas Town Centre to grow; and vii. Improve access and provide better linkages. Area Plan Desired Outcomes The outcomes for each identified 'treatment area' will be tied to the proposed mix of uses on each site. The desired outcomes can be summarised under the following headings - many of which are interlinked: i. Urban Design and Integration a. To provide urban design outcomes which recognise the history of each area, their relationships to neighbouring land uses and features and takes into account appropriate transition from one land use to the next. ii. Infrastructure a. General/grey - to ensure that development staging is co-ordinated with the delivery of infrastructure and to create a road network that is permeable. b. Green - to e stablish appropriate public open space assets that are visually and physically linked via the local road network and associated pedestrian and cycling trails and waterways. To protect character in terms of landscape quality and nature conservation value with settlement boundaries. iii. Uses a. Provision of retail, community services, leisure without compromising the function and role of nearby activity centres, and which facilitates efficient and direct pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle movement. iv. Making a positive contribution a. To create an attractive urban environment that features tree -lined streets and attractive open spaces with high-amenity landscaping. v. Making the best use of resources a. Areas have been chosen because of their ability to complement existing town centres uses, and to take advantage of the roads and service infrastructure already in-place. b. To ensure balance between water quality, biodiversity, recreation and visual amenity while optimising developable land within settlement limits. vi. A more integrated transport network a. Provide realistic and workable alternatives to the use of private vehicles through the creation of direct links for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users to town centre and retail areas, to schools, leisure facilities and other community assets. Key features of Comprehensive Treatment Areas in the East The proposals set out in this Plan: • Identify four CTAs in Douglas and one in Onchan; • Have a strong treatment focus on delivering quality urban environments, with a complementary mix of land uses and clear underlying visioning; • Translate to mapped areas without defined edges; • Describe the treatment which is proposed; and • Intend the period, within which that treatment is to begin , as being within 5 years beginning with the date on which the Plan is adopted. Proposed Comprehensive Treatment Areas in the East Comprehensive Treatment Area 1 - The Villiers (area is shown on Map 5) Despite planning approval for a variety of uses having been granted, much of the site remains undeveloped and has done for some time. The site has a negative effect on this prominent area of Douglas and impacts on the appearance of the Promenade as a whole. The area fronting the Promenade should either be developed or its appearance improved by creating an attractive public space. Re -development of the wider area would not be discounted, although where existing buildings are attractive and have a sound fabric, they should be incorporated into any wider scheme. The Central Douglas Masterplan suggests there is opportunity to support the intensification of the high street through the removal of some buildings on Duke Street. The Villiers site CTA is also a strategic freight corridor and maintaining access for commercial vehicles, including HGV's, must be considered in any proposed development. CTA Proposal 1 - The Villiers (Treatment Plan) Development of this area shall include office, leisure, retail, hotel, residential, entertainment venues, food and d rink uses and public open space or a combination thereof; or the laying out of
Condition 1
The use hereby approved shall cease by 1st April 2026, and the site cleared of any stored materials and storage containers by that date.
Condition 2
The site shall not be used (with the exception for storage purposes) or open except 8:00 - 17:00 Monday to Friday, and 8:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays. The site shall not be used or open on Sundays, Public Holidays, or during TT fortnight.
Condition 3
No more than two storage containers and six skips may be located on the site at any one time.
Condition 4
Other than two storage containers nothing, either individually or collectively, in excess of 2.4m in height may be placed on the site.
Condition 5
No manufacturing shall take place on the site.
Condition 6
Within 28 days of the temporary use hereby ceasing, a remediation plan for the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. That remediation plan shall include a timescale for works and shall specify the landscaping for the site. The remediation plan shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and retained thereafter.
Removal of chimney stacks, remedial works including new roof and wall finishes and replacement front door canopies
Estate Renovation Application
Creation of a temporary storage compound (retrospective)
Initial Approval for the Site as Temporary Storage
Variation of condition 1 of PA 16/01108/B for a temporary site storage compound, to extend the period of approval for a further 2 years
First Approval of time extension
Creation of a temporary storage compound
Most Recent Application