Officer Report

Application No.: 15/00783/B Applicant: Royal Bank Of Scotland Proposal: Installation of two replacement ATMs Site Address: NatWest Bank 2 Victoria Street Douglas Isle Of Man IM1 2LN Case Officer : Miss Abigail Morgan Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation

Officer’s Report

1.0 THE APPLICATION SITE - 1.1 The application site is the curtilage of Villiers Building, a five storey building sited on the south western side of Douglas Promenade on the Junction to Victoria Street within the Douglas Promenades Conservation Area. The building is on a corner plot with Victoria Street running parallel of the site to the south. The building is currently used as offices and is of a modern form. - 1.2 The surrounding area is characterised by predominantly office units, public houses and retail units that have retained many of their original Victorian features and from. Jubilee Building sits adjacent to application site with the Jubilee Clock located 18.5 metres east of the application site.

2.0 THE PROPOSAL - 2.1 Proposed is the installation of replacement the two ATMs with integral signage. - 2.2 The proposed ATM is very similar in design to the existing. The proposed ATM is slightly smaller than the existing however it will be slightly lower to allow easier access for wheelchair users. The integral signage remains the same as the existing in content and size. All materials will be made good where appropriate. - 2.3 The current ATM surround signage will remain the same.

3.0 PLANNING HISTORY - 3.1 The application site has been the subject of several previous planning applications, none of which are considered materially relevant to the assessment of this current planning application given the nature of the proposal.

4.0 PLANNING POLICY - 4.1 In terms of local plan policy, the application site is in an area designates as Predominantly Offices under the Douglas Local Plan Order 1998 Map No. 1 (Central Area). As

• previously mentioned the application site is within the Douglas Promenades Conservation Area.
• 4.2 In terms of strategic plan policy, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 contains two policies that are considered specifically relevant to the assessment of this current planning application:

General Policy 2 states: "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 affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality;

4.3 Environment Policy 35 states: "Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development."

5.0 REPRESENTATIONS - 5.1 There were none received at the time of writing.

6.0 ASSESSMENT - 6.1 In terms of visual alteration, the proposal results in minimal change to the appearance or character to the building and involves relatively little change in terms of scale relative to the building as a whole. As such, the proposed replacement ATM with integral signage is considered to have a neutral impact on the appearance and character of the Conservation Area and the area generally. - 6.2 It is noted and welcomed that the ATM is set slightly lower than the existing making is more accessible to wheelchair users. - 6.3 Overall, it is concluded that the development accords to the provisions of General Policy 2 and Environment Policy 35 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007.

7.0 Recommendation - 7.1 It is recommended that the application be approved.

8.0 PARTY STATUS - 8.1 In line with Article 6(4) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure)(No2) Order 2013, the following Persons are considered to have sufficient interest in the subject matter of the application to take part in any subsequent proceedings relating to the application: the applicant or, if there is one, the applicant's agent; the owner and occupier of the land the subject of the application; Highway Services and the Local Authority in whose district the land the subject of the application sits.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 14.08.2015 Conditions and Notes for Approval: C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions

• 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. All new external and internal works and finishes, and any works of making good, shall match the existing original fabric in respect of using materials of a matching form, composition and consistence, detailed execution and finished appearance, except where otherwise indicated on the drawings hereby approved. Reason: In the interests of character and appearance of the building and the wider area.

This approval relates to Site Plan, Drawing D0572-841-063 date stamped as received 14th July 2015 and Drawing D0572-841-062 rev B date stamped as received on 30th July 2015.

I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to the Head of Development Management. Decision Made : Permitted Date : 13.08.2015 Determining officer Signed :…………J CHANCE…….. Jennifer Chance Head of Development Management