23 August 2007 · Committee
Kelsor House, 11, Demesne Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM1 3eb
This application sought approval in principle to convert Kelsor House, a three-storey office building at 11–13 Demesne Road, Douglas, into six residential units. The site sits on the southern side of Demesne Road within an area zoned as Predominantly Residential in the Douglas Local Plan 1998, and also lies within a Conservation Area. The Planning Committee approved the application on 23 August 2007, in line with the officer's recommendation. The surrounding context includes a car park to the south and neighbouring properties that have already been subdivided into flats. Permission was granted in principle subject to two conditions.
The Planning Committee approved the application in principle. The site is a three-storey office building in an area zoned as Predominantly Residential, making conversion to residential use consistent with the local plan designation. Permission was granted subject to two conditions.
Isle of Man Strategic Plan
Housing Policy 17: The conversion of buildings into flats will generally be permitted in residential areas provided that: (a) adequate space can be provided for clothes -drying, refuse storage, general amenity, and, if practical, car-parking; (b) the flats created will have a pleasant clear outlook, particularly from the principal rooms and (c) if possible, this involves the creation of parking on site or as part of an overall traffic management strategy for the area. 8.13.4 In recent years, interest has grown in the development of residential dwellings from redundant commercial space, primarily above shops. In the United Kingdom, inspira tion for such development came from the LOTS initiative (Living Over The Shop) started in 1989 and the FOS programme (Flats Over the Shop), set up in 1991. The Department generally supports the conversion of redundant storage space above shops (which are often outside of residential areas), into residential development unless the occupants would suffer adverse noise, general disturbance or loss of residential amenity from other land uses. 8.14 Loss of Housing 8.14.1 In the current housing situation, the Department is concerned to ensure that there is no unwarranted loss of existing housing which is fit for habitation or could be made so at reasonable cost.
Douglas Local Plan
area is zoned as predominantly residential
Condition 1
This approval is in principle only and will remain valid for a period of two years within which time no development may take place until such time as details of the reserved matters (siting, design, external appearance, internal layout, means of access, landscaping) have been approved by the Planning Authority. Such reserved matters should form the subject of a single application.
Condition 2
This approval relates to the application site as defined by the red line on drawing no. SC 1012/SK1 date stamped the 8th May 2007. No consent is granted for the proposed layout of the building shown on this particular drawing.
