23 June 2023 · Committee
Unit 21, Industrial Starter Units Middle Farm, Richmond Hill, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM4 1jl
Permission was granted for the installation of a mezzanine floor at Unit 21, Industrial Units Middle Farm, Richmond Hill, Douglas, along with the additional use of the unit for a building management business, an electrician business, and the storage of domestic vehicles. The site forms part of a group of industrial buildings in the Kewaigue area, with the unit entrance near the junction of Kewaigue and Castletown Road. The officer report identified parking provision, ancillary vehicle storage, and impact on neighbouring properties as the main planning issues to be considered. The application was approved by committee on 23 June 2023, subject to four conditions, with the officer having recommended approval.
The application was approved by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture on 23 June 2023. The officer recommended approval, and the committee's decision matched that recommendation. Key planning considerations included parking provision, ancillary vehicle storage, and the potential impact on neighbouring properties.
Employment Proposal 5
lying immediately to the east of the existing waste management complex at Richmond Hill, is allocated for special industrial use, particularly the management processing, recycling and storage of waste.
Employment Proposal 6
Within the Waste Infrastructure Consultation Zone at Richmond Hill, there will be a presumption against development for purposes in which vulnerable members of the public would be present, including housing, and educational and medical establishments.
Strategic Policy 3
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016
Strategic Policy 3: Proposals for development must ensure that the individual character of our towns and villages is protected or enhanced by: (a) avoiding coalescence and maintaining adequate physical separation between settlements; and (b) having regard in the design of new development to th e use of local materials and character. 4.3.4 Most of our built heritage, our countryside, our coastline and our natural environment is of attraction, value and interest. Surveys commissioned by Government on the quality of life and the importance of heritage in the Isle of Man and internationally, have consistently shown that the historic landscape setting of the Isle of Man scores as t he single most significant factor for residents and visitors in supporting the concept of a specific and positive Manx identity. This "heritage identity" is a result of the combination of a rich diversity of historic sites and monuments, historic building s and residential settlements and a specific range of natural history attributes set within a predominantly rural landscape setting which links modern life to a sense of historic legacy and beauty, the retention of which is strongly supported by Government and the resident community. 4.3.5 The landscapes of the Island are very varied, and their nature and variety is the consequence of thousands of years of interaction between the natural and cultural aspects of the Island through human activity within the enviro nment and an innate respect for the natural and historic qualities they represent. 4.3.6 This landscape heritage is more than simply the sum of its parts. The combination of geology, geomorphology, wildlife, archaeology, history, traditional buildings and the natural settings for traditional activities and customs, combine in the rural and built environment to provide an inseparable element of "Manxness". It provides an overarching context which makes the landscapes of the Isle of Man unique and gives them the value which is acknowledged by those who live here and those who visit. The protection and promotion of this element within Manx society is an important element in central Government policy and the Strategic Plan, which both support the view that these v alued characteristics of the Isle of Man be acknowledged and protected for the future from inappropriate development. 4.3.7 This protection will apply to areas of heritage value, to sites of heritage value and to general traditional landscape settings within the Island which are deemed to contribute to the sense of the Island's heritage identity. Heritage landscape value will therefore be a consideration in all aspects of planning, with a view to retaining and enhancing this value wherever possible.
General Policy 2 (b) (c) (g) (h) (i) (m) (n)
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016
Transport Policy 7
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016
Transport Policy 7: The Department will require that in all new development, parking provision must be in accordance with the Department's current standards. The current standards are set out in Appendix 7. 11.5.4 New development can have a significant impact in terms of the traffic generated by it and the impact on the various modes of travel. The Department considers that proposals which are likely to be significant traffic generators should be accompanied by a Transport Assessment(1) which should look at all modes of transport including access by public transport, cycling and on foot.
Appendix 7
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016
Community Policy 7
Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016
Community Policy 7: The design of new development and the extension and refurbishment of existing buildings and development must, as far as is reasonably practical, pay due regard to existing best practice so as to help prevent criminal and anti-social behaviour. 10.12.2 The Isle of Man Constabulary has suggested that neighbourhood police stations, where the public can meet police officers, are needed to improve community safety. In the majority of cases these will need to be provided within existin g communities as opportunities arise. Consideration should be given to incorporating such facilities in larger new developments in association with other community facilities.
Condition 1
1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
2. There can be no more than three vehicles that are not related to the building management or electrician business within the building at any time.
Condition 3
3. The storage of vehicles which are not involved with the building management or electrician businesses can only take place whilst at least one of the building management or electrician businesses is in operation. the use for storing vehicles which are not for either business must cease within one month from the date both businesses cease, and such vehicles must be removed from the site within one month from cessation of such businesses.
Condition 4
4. The mezzanine should only be used along with the ground floor and may not be rented out or sold separately.
