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By Ewan Gawne - Local Democracy Reporter

Plans to build 66 new flats for Douglas Council at the former Quayle’s garage showroom on Peel Road have been approved.

 

At a meeting this week, planners accepted the proposal submitted by developer Dandara, which is acting as an agent on behalf of the local authority.

 

Once complete, the new homes will accommodate a mix of existing council tenants, and those on housing waiting lists.

 

It’s hoped the development will act as a catalyst for the replacement or refurbishment of the outdated apartment blocks on Lord Street and elsewhere in the capital.

 

Douglas Council has asked the Department of Infrastructure for permission to borrow £12 million to pay for the development through a 30-year loan.

 

It’s understood this request has not yet been approved.

 

The new Peel Road development will feature 18 one-bed flats, and 48 two-bed units, with 28 parking spaces available on site.

 

Parking was highlighted in the planning officers report as ‘arguably the most contentious in the proposal’, with the 28 spaces falling ‘well below the required level’.

 

114 spaces would be needed to fulfil the requirement of one off-road parking space for each bedroom unit, as highlighted in the 2016 Strategic Plan.

 

But the officer claims the proposal is made acceptable by the site’s proximity to bus routes and pedestrian links, along with the council’s ‘ unique knowledge of the needs of future occupants’.

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