Dandara Supporting Statement

Dandara Commercial Ltd

Proposed Erection of HQ Building for the British Red Cross (Isle of Man Branch), Vacant Development Plot Between Manx Telecom and Restart Ltd, Isle of Man Business Park, Cooil Road, Braddan.

Supporting Information

1. The site is a vacant development plot of approximately 2505 sq m located on the Isle of Man Business Park between the two existing Manx Telecom sites and adjacent to the Restart disaster recovery centre. It is served by existing highways and drainage infrastructure, and planning approval has previously been granted for the creation of a telecommunications processor unit on the site (PA 98/0716) and subsequently for a business training centre (PA 03/00919), neither of which were taken up.

1. The Braddan Local Plan shows the site to be within the business park masterplan area, with the original planning approval for the Isle of Man Business Park (PA 89/4166) and the emerging Braddan Area Plan highlighting the types of commercial uses which are acceptable in this location, including corporate headquarters. The building will be used as the headquarters for the British Red Cross Isle of Man Branch, a use akin to those of the corporate headquarters currently operating from the Business Park. The training element of the proposal is similar to that previously approved for the site under PA 03/00919.

1. This application seeks detailed planning approval for the erection of a British Red Cross Headquarters building on the Isle of Man. The facilities to be provided within the new building will include;

• administrative offices;
• training rooms for the delivery of First Aid training on a commercial basis to local industry, to volunteers and members of the public, including vulnerable groups and people with disabilities;
• specialist facilities for the cleaning, maintenance and loaning of wheelchairs and other equipment for those with a disability;
• meeting rooms;

• secure storage of emergency response equipment and first aid equipment used at public events;
• secure parking for the Branch's fleet of 5 vehicles, comprised of a front line ambulance, 3 Disabled Passenger Vehicles (DPV's), and a delivery van. It is anticipated that there will be a further two DPV's in use within the next 12 months as the level of Patient Transfer work under contract with the Health Service increases, with a consequent increase in staff numbers; and
• parking for staff and visitors.

The existing Douglas HQ currently employs 12 people (the number will increase with expansion of the Patient Transfer and other services). There are a further 5 people employed in British Red Cross shops on the island. The Ramsey premises closed earlier this year – in anticipation of the new building – and the services previously provided from that building will be delivered from the new building which is the subject of this application.

1. All British Red Cross operations on the island are currently provided from the Douglas premises in Derby Road. These premises are now unsuitable and do not meet the current needs of the BRC, let alone future needs as the range of services to be provided are developed.

The principal shortcomings of the Derby Road building include;

• poor access for those with a disability;
• inadequate storage especially for emergency response equipment;
• inadequate facilities for the delivery of the medical loan service (a primary service);
• inadequate parking for operational vehicles;
• no staff car parking;
• no visitor parking – trainees on commercial training courses park on the outskirts of town and then use a mini-bus;
• no disabled parking;
• limited development potential thereby restricting the services that can be delivered on the island; and
• is an expensive building for a charity to maintain and wasteful of precious resources.

1. Whilst some of the points listed above could be improved slightly given investment, the more important failings would remain and would result in a reduction in services and provide no scope to develop service provision.

1. Relocation to the Isle of Man Business Park would address the issues listed above and provide the British Red Cross with an efficient building from which it can deliver an excellent and professional service, whilst at the same time easing the traffic and parking problems for other users of the Derby Road area. The new building is designed to meet the specific needs of the British Red Cross and those who use its services. It will enable a much improved service to be delivered to residents and visitors to the island in a way that is impossible within the current premises in Derby Road.

1. The emerging Braddan Area Plan suggests that a parking standard of 1 space per 15 sq m of useable floorspace should be applied to this type of use within the Business Park. The building has a nett floor area of approximately 300 sq m, resulting in the need for 20 spaces. It is proposed to provide 24 parking spaces for use by staff and users of the training facilities, as well as 6 spaces for ambulance/DPV's which will be enclosed by security fencing. The proposed landscaping should ensure that the appearance of the site is not compromised by the car parking provision.

1. The original planning approval for the Business Park and the emerging Braddan Area Plan both require that at least 75% of development areas be made up of hard and soft landscaping. The building footprint is in the region of 185 sq m and sits within a site of approximately 2505 sq m, so site coverage is less than 8%. The site will be landscaped in accordance with the submitted plan, which will strengthen the boundaries of the site and soften its appearance. The planting will be in keeping with the type used within the existing Business Park.

052094

commercial limited

Ms E.J. Callow, Secretary to the Planning Committee, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2SF

31st October 2005

Dear Ms Callow,

Park House Isle of Man Business Park Cooil Road, Braddan Isle of Man IM2 2SA

telephone 01624 693300 facsimile 01624 693301 email [email protected] web www.dandara.com

RECEIVED ON 31 OCT 2005 DEPT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Re: Proposed Erection of HQ Building for the British Red Cross (Isle of Man Branch), Vacant Development Plot Between Manx Telecom and Restart Ltd, Isle of Man Business Park, Cooil Road, Braddan.

Please find enclosed three copies of a planning application seeking detailed approval for the above, each of which includes;

• a completed application form;
• a set of drawings as listed on form; and
• a supporting statement.

I understand that as the applicant is in this instance a Registered Charity then a planning fee will not be required.

I trust that this is sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Committee, please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information.

Yours sincerely,

David Humphrey Senior Planner

directors

Dan Tynan James Nugent Gary Leeming Hugh McGuinness Andrew Race Greg Kerwick Phil Robinson

Incorporated in the Isle of Man Registered Number 45987C Registered office Park House, Isle of Man Business Park, Cooil Road, Braddan, Isle of Man IM2 2SA