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Application No.: 09/02064/B Applicant: Department Of Tourism And Leisure Proposal: Erection of a block of changing rooms and facilities Site Address: National Sports Centre Groves Road Douglas Isle Of Man IM2 1RB ### Considerations Case Officer : Miss S E Corlett Expected Decision Level: Senior Planning Officer ### Written Representations ### Consultations Consultee : Highways Division Notes : Consultee : Douglas Corporation Notes : Consultee : Manx Electricity Authority Notes: see note 1
The site defined in blue represents the curtilage of the National Sports Centre which includes the artificial sports playing pitch, the running track and athletics field, the grandstand, Sports Institute, Ellan Vannin Gymnastics hall and sports development offices, situated between Groves Road, the River Dhoo and the River Glass. The site of the proposed works lies alongside the sports development offices, to the rear of the artificial pitch. Vehicular access to the area is from Groves Road via the perimeter road which runs clockwise around the athletics track with a bridged access to the Ellan Vannin Gymnastics hall and the Bowl.
The site of the proposed works is presently an area of grass which is not part of the sports pitches or any other useful or usable space.
The site lies within an area designated on the Douglas Local Plan of 1999 as Tourism and Leisure.
Most recently, the Sports Institute building was permitted alongside the site - PA 07/1541, which accommodates meeting rooms, a specialist gymnasium, physiotherapy and other sports-related services and facilities. These facilities are available to the highest level athletes only. The offices alongside the site were permitted under PA 98/2069 and are used for the Department of Tourism and Leisure's sport development unit. Fencing has recently been permitted alongside the grandstand - PA 09/0216.
Proposed now is the erection of a block incorporating changing facilities and toilets to serve the allweather pitch alongside. The proposed building is a single storey, hipped roofed structure finished to match the sports development unit alongside, but significantly less high. The building will accommodate four changing rooms, four sets of toilets, disabled person's toilets, a first aid room and the facilities will be accessible from both the front and rear (next to the all-weather pitch). No additional or formal parking is shown but the proposal does not remove any parking and there is parking for at least 17 vehicles alongside, excluding the spaces alongside the Institute building and spaces alongside the perimeter road. These spaces are all used at present when the all-weather pitches are used and where users of the pitch change in their cars or wait until they get home to get changed.
Manx Electricity Authority comment on existing electricity supplies which are not shown on the plans. This should be dealt with through liaison between the applicant and the Manx Electricity Authority rather than as part of the planning decision
The proposed use is consistent with the land use designation and the provision of facilities close to the all-weather pitch will be greatly appreciated. Parking is presently split between spaces to the west of the pitch and alongside the application site. There may be more of a tendency to park alongside the application site than to the west of the pitch, but there is space for this to be accommodated. Traffic around the perimeter is limited to a very slow speed and those using it is limited to persons using the facilities around the athletics track. The perimeter road is also used for pedestrian access to the various facilities and the incidence of parked vehicles alongside the road is not detrimental to their safety - rather it tends to further slow the speed of passing vehicles.
The appearance of the building is to complement that of the existing building immediately alongside and as such there will be no detrimental visual impact.
The proposal represents a continuing investment in the sports facilities at the National Sports Centre and it is considered that there is no adverse impact from the proposal.
The Department of Transport and the local authority are, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (c) and (d), considered "interested persons" and as such should be afforded party status.
The Manx Electricity Authority raise issues regarding working practices around existing supplies, which are not material planning considerations and as such the MEA should not be afforded party status in this instance.
Recommended Decision: Permitted
Date of Recommendation: 02.02.2010 2 February 2010 09/02064/B
N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal 0 : Notes attached to refusals
C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
C 2. This permission relates to the erection of a building to accommodate changing rooms and toilets, as shown in drawings 09 / 2273 / 11,09 / 2273 / 12 and 09 / 2273 / 13 all received on 18th December, 2009.
I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular No 09/09 Delegation of functions, 10/09 Delegation of Functions (Development Procedure), GC No 11/09 (Advertisements) and GC No 12/09 (Registered Buildings) all to the Senior Planning Officer
Decision Made : Permitted Date : Signed : Senior Planning Officer
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