Officer Report

Application No.: 25/91169/D Applicant: Superdrug Store PLC Proposal: Installation of illuminated signage Site Address: 27 & 29-31 Strand Street Douglas IM2 2EF : Richard Wilshaw Photo Taken: 05.02.2026 Site Visit: 05.02.2026 Expected Decision Level: Officer Delegation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 11.02.2026 _________________________________________________________________

Conditions and Notes for Approval

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. N 1. The projecting signs will need a Section 69 oversailing the highway licence from the DOI. This application has been recommended for approval for the following reason.

It is considered that the size, scale, siting and design of the sign is acceptable, 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, 7 and 8 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016.

Plans/Drawings/Information;

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans received 10.12.2025:

PROPOSED SIGNAGE DETAILS DRAWING NUMBER CPS 25 109 506 REVISION L2 LOCATION/BLOCK PLAN DRAWING NUMBER CPS 25 109 001 REVISION L2 PROPOSED SHOPFRONT ELEVATION DRAWING NUMBER CPS 25 109 504 REVISION L2

_________________________________________________________________ Interested Person Status None

_________________________________________________________________ Officer’s Report

- 1 APPLICATION SITE

1.1 The application site comprises 27 and 29/31 Strand Street in Douglas. Both units are currently, or were previously, used for retail (Use Class 1.1). 27 Strand Street was previously occupied by Regatta but is currently vacant. 29/31 Strand Street is currently occupied by Superdrug, and they are the Applicant for this application. - 1.2 Both 27 and 29/31 Strand Street are 3-storey properties with timber glazed ground floor shop fronts. Currently they do not match. The shop frontage for 29/31 Strand Street is curved with delicate columned features. The shop frontage for 27 Strand Street is flat, more boxy and ultimately more contemporary. - 1.3 29/31 Strand Street was originally a cinema known as the Picture House which opened in 1921 and closed sometime in the mid-20th Century. The half-timbered Tudor facade to the upper floors is distinctive and provides some architectural interest. It is not known if this is the original façade that was retained as a façade retention scheme when the cinema was demolished or whether it was simply replicated when the existing building was built on the site. The upper floors to 27 Strand Street are less distinctive, finished in render. - 1.4 The application site is not within a Conservation Area. Registered Building no. 156 (Facade and Foyer, Strand Cinema) is located approximately 20m north of the application site.

- 2 PROPOSAL

2.1 The application seeks consent for the display of the following advertisements. 2no new fascia panels to existing signage zone using individual built up letters, stainless steel returns and opal acrylic face, fixed back to new aluminium back panel, finished black with white lettering and logo. 2no new Projecting signs to existing signage zones - Aluminium face trays fitted back to back, finished black with white lettering and logo. All 4 signs would be illuminated with white LED light modules, level max 400 cdl/m2. Temporary permission is sought for a period of 5 years.

3 PLANNING HISTORY

3.1 A concurrent planning application reference 25/91168/B is currently pending determination for the installation of two new shopfronts, and installation of additional AC condensers to rear elevation at the application site.

4 PLANNING POLICY

4.1 In terms of local plan policy, the application site is within an area designated as 'Mixed Use Proposals Areas - Strand Street' and the 'Primary retail frontage' in the Area Plan for the East. This area forms the core of the retail shopping area and is characterised by shops, food and drink uses, financial and professional services and other associated town centre uses such as hairdressers, beauticians, etc.

4.2 The site is not within a Conservation Area. - 4.3 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. - 4.4 General Policy 2 of the Strategic Plan is considered applicable, which states: 'Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development:

• (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief;

• (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them;
• (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape;
• (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses;
• (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea;
• (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks;
• (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality;
• (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space;
• (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways;
• (j) can be provided with all necessary services;
• (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan;
• (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding;
• (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and
• (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption.'

4.5 General Policy 6 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan states that "within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements will be permitted on the site or building to which they relate provided they

• (a) are of a high standard of design and materials and relate well to the building and site on which they are to be displayed;
• (b) are in keeping with and do not detract from the surrounding area; and
• (c) are located so as not to cause a highway safety hazard."

4.6 General Policy 7 states that "within our towns and villages, the display of external advertisements on sites or buildings other than those to which they relate will not generally be permitted."

• 5 REPRESENTATIONS Copies of representations received can be viewed on the Government's website. This report contains summaries only.

5.1 DOI Highways - No objection (16.01.2026) - After reviewing this Application, Highway Services finds it to have no significant negative impact upon highway safety, network functionality and/or parking. Note to attach to permission: The projecting signs will need a Section 69 oversailing the highway licence from the DOI.

5.2 Douglas City Council - No objection (26.01.2026)

6 ASSESSMENT

6.1 The fundamental issues to consider in the assessment of this planning application are:

• - principle of the signage / use class of the site
• - character and appearance
• - highway safety Principle of the signage / use class of the site

• 6.2. The Isle of Man Strategic Plan is explicitly clear through its policies (General Policy 6 &

• 7) in how it expects applications for advertisements to be considered. Those adverts should relate to the specific uses of the building, which they are to be attached. Advertisements that are not related to the land or building to which they are generally attached are considered not acceptable. The rationale is to prevent an unwarranted proliferation of adverts that could compromise the appearance and attractiveness of the town and villages. However, these policies can only be applied within the parameters of the legislation as noted above and so are limited to impacts in terms of amenity and public safety.

6.3 With regards to the above policies Unit 29/31 Strand Street is currently occupied by the Applicant, Superdrug. This application proposes to replace the existing Superdrug signage and

• replace with new, updated livery. This is considered appropriate. Unit 27 was previously occupied by Regetta but is currently vacant. Superdrug are intending to occupy this unit and make internal changes to facilitate the use of both units as one extended Superdrug store. The concurrent application reference 25/91168/B seeks consent to replace both existing shopfronts with new, matching shopfronts. Therefore whilst technically Unit 27 is not currently occupied by Superdrug it is judged that the application does comply with General Policy 7. It is evident that if Superdrug do not occupy Unit 27, for whatever reason, then they will not go to the expense of installing signage to this unit. Character and appearance
• 6.4 Paragraph 6.6.2 of the Isle of Man 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".
• 6.5 The application site is located within Strand Street which is the Island's primary retail area. Along Strand Street most units have signage, akin to that which is proposed. It is judged that the proposed signage is not too bright, overly large or poorly sited. It is located in a pedestrianised area and will help shoppers to locate the store. As such the proposed signage is deemed to be in keeping with the surrounding area. Highway safety
• 6.6 On this basis and as there is no objection from highways, it is considered the proposal would comply with General Policy 6(c) and would not cause a highway safety hazard.
• 7 CONCLUSION

7.1 Overall it is considered that the size, scale, siting and design of the sign is acceptable, 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, 7 and 8 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016.

• 8 Party Status (Advertisements)

8.1 By virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2013, the following persons are automatically interested persons:

• (a) The applicant, or if there is one, the applicant's agent;
• (b) The owner and the occupier of any land that is the subject of the application or any other person in whose interest the land becomes vested;
• (c) Persons to whom notice has been given under regulation 10(3)(a)(i)
• (d) Any Government Department that has made written submissions relating to planning considerations with respect to the application that the Department considers material;
• (e) The Highways Division of the Department;
• (f) The Ports Division of the Department;
• (g) The operator of the railway or tramway; and
• (h) The local authority in whose district the land the subject of the application is situated. 8.2 In addition to those above, the Regulation 11(3) requires the Department to decide which persons (if any) who have made representations with respect to the application, should be treated as having sufficient interest in the subject matter of the application to take part in any subsequent proceedings relating to the application.

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: 13.02.2026 Determining Officer

Signed : C BALMER Chris Balmer Principal Planner

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