Planning Statement Change of Use

Statement to accompany Planning Application for Change of Use from Storage to Office – Property to Rear of 46 Bucks Road Douglas

Approval was granted under PA 09/02006/B for the erection of a three storage extension to the rear of 46 Bucks Road for a garage on the ground floor with storage above, being granted by way of a notice dated 21 July 2010.

During the application process discussions/correspondence took place with the applicant and his agent, resulting in a condition being attached to the approval that

“The extension hereby permitted shall be used only as a garage and/or storage only in connection with the use of the existing premises and shall not be let or sold off for use by a separate business.”

The applicant proceeded to erect the extension and the shell is now complete.

The existing premises, behind which this extension is constructed, was at the time of the application, and still is, a restaurant. This is leased from our client who owns the entire building including the extension.

The restaurant has never had the use of the extension and shows no sign of interest in leasing the extension for use in conjunction with the restaurant. The extension therefore remains as a shell and unoccupied. The restaurant functions within the existing front section of the building and has access via a passageway from the rear lane, retaining its bins area within the passageway.

Our client now makes application to change the use of the extension to independent office use. The garage will form the parking space for the office which will occupy the upper two floors. A toilet and a tea kitchen will be incorporated in the office area and the office will take access via the passageway and shared stair.

The net office area is 49.24 square metres, which requires the provision of one parking space, this is provided in the garage.