17 October 2022 · Delegated
Lezayre Church Hall, Lezayre Church Road, Churchtown, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM7 2an
This application sought to vary a condition attached to an earlier planning permission (18/00376/B) at Lezayre Church Hall, Churchtown, Ramsey. The change would allow the number of children using the hall to increase from 32 to 40. The site is a detached building with access from both Lezayre Road and the Churchtown Loop Road, and a car park to the south. The key planning questions considered were whether the increased numbers would affect the facility itself, create highway safety issues, or harm the amenity of neighbouring properties. The application was permitted on 17 October 2022 through delegated decision.
The application was permitted on 17 October 2022 under delegated authority. The officer considered whether the increase in children would affect the facility, raise highway safety concerns, or harm neighbouring amenities, and recommended approval.
promote the best use of resources by optimising the use of previously developed land, unused and under-used land and buildings
the proposal would meet the aims of Strategic Policy 1
Strategic Policy 1: Development should make the best use of resources by: (a) optimising the use of previously developed land, redundant buildings, unused and under -used land and buildings, and re - using scarce indigenous building materials; (b) ensuring efficient use of sites, taking into account the needs for access, landscaping, open space (1) and amenity standards; and (c) being located so as to utilise existing and planned infrastructure, facilities and services. 4.2.2 In pursuance of (c) abo ve, the Department will, when formulating its programme for the preparation of new Area Plans, have particular regard to: (a) the availability of mains drainage connected to IRIS or other mains systems; (b) securing the future viability of rural primary schools; (c) the public investment in the Island's highway, bus, railway and tramway networks; (d) the provision and availability of water; and (e) community facilities. 4.3 Environment 4.3.1
protect facilities that have the potential to be of recreational or amenity value to the community
Recreation Policy 2: Development which would adversely affect, or result in the loss of Open Space or a recreation facility that is or has the potential to be, of recreational or amenity value to the community will not be permitted except in the following circumstances: (a) where alternative provision of equivalent community benefit and of equivalent or better accessibility is made available; and (b) where there would be an overall com munity gain from the development, and the particular loss of the open space or recreation facility would have no significant unacceptable effect on local open space or recreation provision or on the character or amenity of the area. 10.3.6 In the case of residential developments for 10 or more dwellings, the Department proposes to adopt the following general standards (which refer to the area required per 1000 head of population): Recreational Open Space Sports Pitches 1.8 ha Children's Play Space 0.6 ha Amenity Space 0.8 ha 10.3.7 These general standards will be applied having regard to the following circumstances: (i) the size, type, and particular needs of the resident population in question; (ii) the needs of visitors to the area; and (iii) the proximity and availability of existing Open Space, including the foreshore, public glens and parks, and school fields which may be available for public use outside of school hours. More detail is set out in Appendix 6. 10.3.8 The Department has therefore adopted the following policy such as to plan positively for the provision of well-designed recreational and amenity space.
new community facilities should be located to serve the local population and be accessible to non-car users
Community Policy 2: New community facilities should be located to serve the local population and be accessible to non -car users, and should where possible re-use existing vacant or underused buildings. 10.7.2 Local community facilities are important in providing for local communities without the need for travel and should be retained unless the site or premises are no longer suitable for the current or an alternative community use. Developers will be expected to demonstrate that the potential to use the site or building for other community uses has been investigated.
existing highways which serve any new development to be capable of accommodating the vehicle and pedestrian journeys generated by that development in a safe and appropriate manner
no concerns with regard to parking and highway safety resulting from the proposed development
Transport Policy 4: The new and existing highways which serve any n ew development must be designed so as to be capable of accommodating the vehicle and pedestrian journeys generated by that development in a safe and appropriate manner, and in accordance with the environmental objectives of this plan. 11.3.2 Notwithstanding policies within this plan which encourage travel by means other than private car it is anticipated that the number of vehicles using the Island's roads will continue to increase. This increase in demand is likely to lead to a greater need for road impro vements in order that travel can take place in a safe, effective, and environmentally acceptable manner. The Department of Transport will continue to assess the need for such improvements to public highways and undertake works where appropriate, with much of the improvement within existing roads carried out under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order2005. The need for improvements to the Island's highway network must be balanced against the environmental objectives of this plan.
Alterations in connection with an additional use of hall as a children's day nursery, including the erection of timber fencing to create a secure outdoor area.
previous application which enabled the use of the church facility for the nursery
Creation of car park to rear of church hall
This car park is currently not marked out. However, it provides sufficient parking to meet the needs of the nursery/church hall/other uses.
