Planning Officer Report

Planning Report And Recommendations {{table:86120}} {{table:86121}} {{table:86122}} ### Considerations ### Written Representations We have received 1 private representations for this application. ### Consultations ### Policy

Officer's Report

The site represents an existing industrial unit situated on the right as one enters Snugborough Industrial Estate. The existing or previous use was as a factory although the internal layout looks more like a suite of offices. The adjoining unit is used by 100+ as a furniture sales outlet.

Proposed here is the use of the site as a furniture showroom with associated offices. The internal layout lends itself nicely to a display of furniture in a home-type environment rather than lots of open space (like B _ B).

There is a comment from B _ B who received permission in 1993 for the reconstruction of their premises which were severely damaged by a fire. There was concern at that time that permission should not be granted to a replacement furniture showroom as this represented out of town retailing which is contrary to the Department's policies. However it was concluded that permission should be granted on the basis that the business was established prior to the fire and I think better access and parking facilities were introduced as a result. B _ B have written in in respect of this application

suggesting that the same conditions as were applied to their approval should be applied to this, if approval is forthcoming.

There are significant differences, however between their approval and this application. Firstly, their application was for a new building not conversion of an existing one. Therefore things like car parking provision and access could legitimately be taken into account. The proposal for B _ B was considerably greater in floor space than this application.

Also, since 1993 there has been a shift in thinking about furniture retailing and selling generally from industrial areas. The draft Strategic Plan and emerging Braddan Plan both contain advice about how to assess proposals for retail use and it has been accepted in the case of other planning applications (such as PA 02/1929 for Clucas PLC at Tromode) that the selling of such items can be acceptable in industrial areas. I am also not sure which of their conditions they wish to apply to this approval. There were conditions about the use of the building by B _ B for furniture retailing, parking spaces and access for disabled persons, fire precautions, and the colour of the external cladding. None of these is relevant to the proposal in this application as the building exists and its use for other purposes is also established. The application should be judged against this and also bearing in mind that there are other furniture retailers operating in the vicinity, one being right next door.

Recommendation

Recommended Decision : Permitted

Date of Recommendation : 12.07.2004

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : 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 approval relates to the conversion of the existing building to a furniture showroom with associated offices including the installation of new doors in place of the existing roller shutter door as shown in the photographs and drawings received on 7th June, 2004.

Decision Made : ... Committee Meeting Date : ...

dcreprec.doc

Application No: 041167	Page of
Views Expressed - Name	Invite	Inform
APPLICANT
BRADDAH COMM.
DOT HIGHWAYS.
MC M CANNELL