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Plans for flats and retail units on quay backed

Rebecca Brahde
BBC News, Isle of Man
Savage & Chadwick Architects Two modern buildings with large windows and balconies are on either side of a grand white Victorian building on the quay, there is scaffolding still in place on the derelict building on the right of the development.Savage & Chadwick Architects
Planners have backed proposals for eight apartments and two retail units on the quay

Plans to develop a set of historical buildings on the North Quay in Douglas into eight new apartments and two retail units have been backed by planners.

The proposals would see two bar or restaurant-type buildings on the ground floor of the development with a raised terrace for external seating, and eight apartments on the upper floors.

The plans, put forward by developers Kelman Limited, would see the demolition of registered buildings 22,23, 25 and 26 on the North Quay.

During a planning committee meeting, member Sam Skelton said it was a "very welcome development in the town centre".

Savage & Chadwick Architects A view from across the harbour two modern buildings are on either side of a white Victorian building, scaffolding remains on the right of the new development.Savage & Chadwick Architects
The development would see the demolition of two buildings

Previous proposals put forward by the same applicants to convert the group of buildings, including the former Newson's site, into ten flats and food and drink outlets were turned down by the committee in 2022.

The approved application did not include the former Newson's site, and the committee were told that the developers were still considering what to do with the derelict building.

The planning officer who recommended approval said that "although the loss of the existing history fabric weighs against the proposal", the plans "would represent an overall enhancement" to the conservation area and street scene.

Committee member Peter Young said he "really liked the design and it fits in with what is already there".

A row of white buildings along the quay, the closest is a large white building, whith a blue door, the next is another less well-kept white building.
One of the original buildings dates back to the mid 18th century

The chairman of the committee, Rob Callister, said the area was "desperately in need" of the proposals.

The committee were told the application had been timed for the developers to meet the deadline to apply for the Department for Enterprise's Infrastructure Scheme, which aims to encourage private investors to redevelop brownfield sites.

The requirement for affordable housing would be paid through commuted sums.

Chris Kelly, owner of Kelproperties, which owns the site, said the organisation was "grateful to the planning committee for their approval".

However, the team was "highly critical" of the planners who put a listing on the building in the first place, "which was after our contracted agreement to buy the site over seven years ago".

"We feel that the subject of heritage listings needs a deep review to prevent this sort of thing happening once more," he added.

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