Decision on bus station site development 'paused'

A decision on planning permission for a major redevelopment on a former bus station site in the Isle of Man's capital has been "paused" by the committee considering it.

Plans for the12-storey complex on Lord Street in Douglas include 85 apartments as well as shops, a cinema, and bus facilities.

A planning officer's report recommended the development be refused due to a lack of affordable housing in the scheme, in line with planning policy.

But the island's planning committee voted not to accept that recommendation and the project – along with potential conditions on its progress – will be discussed further at the next meeting.

Plans for the development were formally resubmitted by Lord Street Development SPV Limited last April after previous plans submitted by the firm's partner on the project, Wyyttavin, were withdrawn following a family bereavement.

Manx planning rules dictate developers must include a provision of 25% of affordable housing units if the projected profit margin of a project was above the set benchmark of 20%.

If the units are not included, in some cases a one-off financial payment - or commuted sum – can be agreed instead.

In the proposed development, the figure calculated to compensate for the absence of affordable housing and open public spaces was about £1.5m.

The exclusion of those led to it being recommended for refusal by the planning officer considering it.

But the developer said it had proposed a legally binding review, which would be assessed "when the actual out-turn costs, revenues and returns are known".

Although the committee was told of objections based on the size and design of the building and its impact on surrounding areas, the panel also heard it had support from the city's local authority, Douglas Council, due to the rise in housing it would provide.

Planning committee chairman Rob Callister MHK said the plans ticked a lot of boxes for the site, which had been undeveloped for several years.

The panel narrowly voted not to accept the recommendation to refuse the plans, with Callister's casting voting making it a four-three split.

Conditions that would be attached to the development if approved will now be discussed with the developer and the Department of Infrastructure.

The plans will the be considered further at the committee's next meeting on 16 March.

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