15 May 2007 · Committee
Warehouse, Ronaldsway Industrial Estate, Ronaldsway, Ballasalla, Isle Of Man, IM9 2aa
The application proposed changing the use of a substantial warehouse — 75 metres by 30 metres with two floors — situated between the former Ronaldsway Shoe Factory and another large industrial building within Ronaldsway Industrial Estate. The site is designated for industrial use under the 1982 Isle of Man Planning Scheme, making the proposed leisure use a departure from that designation. The officer identified the site's distance from population centres as the most critical issue, noting that visitors would largely depend on motorised transport. However, the applicant demonstrated that a regular bus service serves the site and that residents in the south of the Island already travel to Douglas for comparable facilities, making this proposal comparably sustainable. The Department of Trade and Industry noted a preference for business use but acknowledged that around 8.5 hectares of undeveloped industrial land remained at Ronaldsway, and that non-industrial uses were already operating nearby. The Planning Committee approved the application subject to six conditions.
The committee was satisfied that the loss of the warehouse to industrial use was acceptable given the substantial remaining supply of designated industrial land at Ronaldsway. The transport concerns raised by the Department of Transport were resolved by revised parking plans and a bus service commitment. The presence of existing non-industrial uses nearby and the difficulty of accommodating large-format leisure uses in smaller town centres also weighed in favour of approval.
Condition 1
The use must be taken up within four years of the date of this notice in order for this approval to remain valid after that time.
Condition 2
The use of the building for the purposes approved may be carried out only as shown in the approved plans. If the internal layout is to change, there must be submitted for approval by the Planning Authority, a further application which provides full and accurate details of all changes. Such an application must indicate the full range of leisure activities which are to be accommodated in the building and how they are to be laid out, together with all means of access, and any external alterations.
Condition 3
This permission relates to the use of the existing building as defined in drawings reference 1-7 received on 9th January, 2007 for the purposes of a bowling alley and associated leisure uses together with the car parking including disabled persons' parking as shown on the site plan received on 23rd April, 2007.
Condition 4
Details of any signage proposed must form the subject of a separate application for approval under The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2005.
Condition 5
The premises may not be available for use between midnight and 0800hrs.
Condition 6
Prior to the use of the premises as hereby permitted, there must be approved by the Planning Authority a further plan which demonstrates how the requisite parking together with a safe means of pedestrian access, including access for disabled persons, from the estate road, are to be provided. Once approved, the site must be laid out in accordance with this approved plan.
