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Application No.: 25/91103/D Applicant: Ms Nicola Marshall Proposal: Installation of permanent non-illuminated signage to front elevation Site Address: B4 And After 20 Broadway Douglas Isle Of Man IM2 4EL Planning Officer: Vanessa Porter Photo Taken: 28.01.2026 Site Visit: 28.01.2026 Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 03.02.2026 _________________________________________________________________
C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions
C 1. The advertisement(s) hereby granted consent shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Reason: To avoid the accumulation of unimplemented advertisement consents. This application has been recommended for approval for the following reason.
The installation of the non-illuminated signage on the site complies with The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 and is also in accordance with General Policy 6 and 7 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016.
Plans/Drawings/Information; This decision relates to the following plans and drawings, dated received 11th December 2025;
_________________________________________________________________ Interested Person Status
It is recommended that the following organisations should NOT be given the Right to Appeal: Douglas City Council - No objection
Officer’s Report THE APPLICATION SITE
1.1 The application site is the residential curtilage of B4 and After, which is a shop situated to the ground floor level of No.20 Broadway, Douglas, which is situated to the North East of Broadway. The site is a semi detached property, of which the shop area is situated forward of the main property. THE PROPOSAL - 2.1 The current planning application seeks approval for the erection of a sign to the front elevation which is to be situated within the already existing white fascia. The proposed signage is to read B4 and After with a telephone number of which all letters are to be 5mm thick grey Perspex. The below is the dimensions provided for all the letters and numbers; B4 - 600mm high by 700mm wide AND AFTER - 182mm high by 1767mm wide T.668306 - 135mm high by 780mm wide. PLANNING HISTORY - 3.1 The site has been subject to several previous applications of which none are relevant in the assessment of this application. PLANNING POLICY - 4.1 The site lies within an area zoned as "Mixed Use" on the Area Plan for the East, Map 4 Douglas. The site is situated within a Conservation Area but not a Flood Risk Zone.
4.2 The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 make it clear that the only considerations which can be applied to applications made under them are in the interests of amenity and public safety. In the case of amenity, such things as the general characteristics of the area need to be taken into account along with the presence of any features of historic, architectural, cultural or similar interest and the public safety should consider the safety of any person using a road, railway, tramway, harbour or aerodrome including the obscuration of any traffic sign or similar. - 4.3 Further to the above it is relevant to assess the application under General Policy 2 which sets out general development standards, General Policy 6 which sets out what is expected for the display of external advertisements and General Policy 7 which sets out that the display of adverts must be in relation to the site they are situated upon.
REPRESENTATIONS
5.1 Douglas City Council have considered the proposal and state, no objections. (16.01.26)
5.2 The following consultations were consulted on the 29th December 2025 of which no consultation has been received at the time of writing this report;
6.1 The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013 make it clear that the only considerations which can be applied to applications made under them are in the interests of amenity and public safety. In the case of amenity, such things as the general characteristics of the area need to be taken into account along with the presence of any features of historic, architectural, cultural or similar interest and the public safety should consider the safety of any person using a road, railway, tramway, harbour or aerodrome including the obscuration of any traffic sign or similar.
6.2 Further to this paragraph 6.6.2 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016 makes it clear that "within our towns and villages, well designed and sensitively sited advertisements can contribute positively to the character of a building or area, and can be of help to the general public. However, advertisements which are too bright, overlarge or poorly sited may endanger safety by distracting or confusing highway users and may, both individually and cumulatively, detract from amenity by being intrusive, by introducing clutter and visual confusion or by masking features of interest or attraction". Paragraph 6.6.3 furthers on this stating that "within rural areas, advertisements can be disruptive features which affect adversely the appearance of the landscape and the countryside. Lighting can pollute the night sky, and may be contrary to nature conservation interests".
6.3 The signage proposed is situated to the front of the building, which is situated within a high public vantage point. Whilst this is the case the proposed signage is acceptable for the site and matches surrounding businesses within the area in type of design and material, with the signage being considered acceptable in size and scale so as to be readable by passing public without causing a distraction or any highway safety issues. - 6.4 Overall the signage is considered acceptable in size and scale, with the signage not containing any illumination and as such it is considered the design and siting of the sign is acceptable and would comply with General Policies 6 and 7 and would meets the general standards set out in The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013.
7.1 Overall it is considered that the size, scale, siting and design of the sign is deemed acceptable and relates to the use of the site, would have no adverse visual or amenity harm to the public or public safety. As such the application would accord with The Control of Advertisements Regulations 2013, as well as meeting with the principles of General Policies 6 and 7 of the IOM Strategic Plan 2016. RIGHT TO APPEAL AND RIGHT TO GIVE EVIDENCE - 8.1 The Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 sets out the process for determining planning applications (including appeals). It sets out a Right to Appeal (i.e. to submit an appeal against a planning decision) and a Right to Give Evidence at Appeals (i.e. to participate in an appeal if one is submitted).
8.2 Article A10 sets out that the right to appeal is available to:
8.3 Article 8(2)(a) requires that in determining an application, the Department must decide who has a right to appeal, in accordance with the criteria set out in article A10. - 8.4 The Order automatically affords the Right to Give Evidence to the following (no determination is required):
I can confirm that this decision has been made by a Principal Planner in accordance with the authority afforded to that Officer by the appropriate DEFA Delegation and that in making this decision the Officer has agreed the recommendation in relation to who should be afforded interested person status and/or rights to appeal.
Decision Made : Permitted Date: 04.02.2026 Determining Officer Signed : J SINGLETON Jason Singleton Principal Planner
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