22 July 2021 · Delegated
7 Eskdale Apartments, Queens Drive West, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 2jd
Permission was granted for Apartments 7 and 10 at Eskdale Apartments, Queens Drive West, Ramsey, to be used as tourist accommodation in addition to their existing residential use. The two apartments occupy the first and second floors of a Victorian apartment block that was formerly a hotel, with shared access from Queens Drive West and off-street parking to the side. The main planning issues examined were whether the additional tourist accommodation use was acceptable in principle and whether it would harm the amenity of other residents in the building. Both issues were resolved in favour of the applicant. The application was decided by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture on a delegated basis, with one condition attached to the permission.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on a delegated basis. The two key planning issues considered were the principle of allowing tourist accommodation as an additional use alongside the existing residential use, and the potential impact on the amenity of other residents in the building. Both were found to be acceptable.
General Policy 2 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan
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
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 13 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan
permission will generally be given for the use of private residential properties as tourist accommodation providing that it can be demonstrated that such use would not compromise the amenities of neighbouring residents
Business Policy 13: Permission will generally be given for the use of private residential properties as tourist accommodation providing that it can be demonstrated that such u se would not compromise the amenities of neighbouring residents.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
