15 June 2009 · Delegated
Whilo, 70, Bucks Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 3af
The proposal involved alterations to the front elevation of the shop at 72 Bucks Road — raising window cill levels, installing new windows, widening the existing doorway, and adding four external lights. Internally, both 70 and 72 Bucks Road would be combined to form one larger convenience store at ground floor level, with the existing living accommodation converted into a self-contained flat. To the rear of No. 72, a two-storey extension was proposed, providing a store and yard at ground floor and an office at first floor. The site comprises two three-storey terraced properties in a central Douglas location. The officer assessed the proposal against General Policy 2 and Business Policy 9, which supports new retail provision in existing retail areas.
The officer concluded the proposal was acceptable because it respects the character of the site and surroundings, supports retail provision in an established retail area, and the central location of the site adequately offsets the lack of dedicated parking. No conditions were attached to the permission.
General Policy 2
Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan
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
Business Policy 9
The Department will support new retail provision in existing retail areas
Business Policy 9: The Department will support new retail provision in existing retail areas at a scale appropriate to the existing area and which will not have an adverse effect on adjacent retail areas. Major retail development proposals will require to be supported by a Retail Impact Assessment(1). (1) Retail Impact Assessment is defined in Appendix1.
Community Policy 2
New community facilities should be located to serve the local population
Community Policy 2: New community facilities should be located to serve the local population and be accessible to non -car users, and should where possible re-use existing vacant or underused buildings. 10.7.2 Local community facilities are important in providing for local communities without the need for travel and should be retained unless the site or premises are no longer suitable for the current or an alternative community use. Developers will be expected to demonstrate that the potential to use the site or building for other community uses has been investigated.
Use of premises as a launderette
Permitted
Installation of new shop front and creation of flat over
Permitted
Alterations, erection of extension and conversion of existing living accommodation into an apartment
Permitted
Installation of replacement shop fronts
Refused