1 September 2006 · Committee
The Gym, 1-3, Victoria Buildings, Parliament Street, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 1ax
This application sought permission to convert the snooker hall and bar at Victoria Buildings on Parliament Street, Ramsey, into self-contained apartments, and to add a rear extension providing two additional flats. The building is a three-and-a-half storey structure in Ramsey Town Centre, with the upper floors already partly in residential use. Local plan policies for Ramsey encouraged the use of upper floors above shops and commercial premises for residential purposes, and the case officer considered the proposal consistent with this approach, recommending approval. However, the Highways Division of the Department of Transport formally objected, arguing that the conversion would increase demand for long-stay on-street parking in an area where parking pressure from retail use was already high. The application was ultimately refused by the Committee.
The application was refused by the Committee, despite the case officer recommending approval. The final decision did not follow the officer's recommendation.
Ramsey Local Plan
The upper floors above shops are often under-used. Use of this space for residential purposes will be encouraged, subject to compliance with the Housing (Flats) Regulations
3.15 Policy R/R/P4: Use Of Upper Floors For Residential Purposes The upper floors above shops are often under-used. Use of this space for residential purposes will be encouraged, subject to compliance with the Housing (Flats) Regulations. Change of use from residential to office use will not generally be permitted.
Local Plan
The use of upper floors as retail units, offices and apartments shall be encouraged particularly where premises are currently vacant
on, it is considered that residential use on upper floors of commercial buildings should continue to be permitted in order to assist in the buildings' maintenance and refurbishment (reference: Policy R/TC/P3). ## Traffic Management
