Plans for 64-bed hotel in office space approved

The building is owned by Keith Lord, who owns and operates the Mannin Hotel Douglas, as well as serviced apartments and holiday cottages

Plans for the conversion of office space in the centre of Douglas into a 64-bed hotel have been approved.

The proposals for Royalty House, in Walpole Avenue, Douglas, would also include a restaurant and bar area on the ground floor and a rooftop spa and plant room.

Member of the planning committee, Sam Skelton, said it was "such a great development", adding it would be "great for the island, and great for Douglas".

However, the plans would see the removal of the building's existing 13 car parking spaces.

Transport

Mr Skelton added that while car parking would be "ideal" there were lots of hotels in the UK that do not offer parking, a view that was shared by fellow committee member Peter Young.

The plans would preserve the art-deco appearance of the building, which was built in the 1990s, and would comprise double and twin-bed ensuite rooms.

Niall McGarrigle, architect for McGarrigle Architects, which represented owner Keith Lord, said it had been difficult for the owners of the building to find tenants of such a large area of office space.

The development was across the road from the sea terminal, had good bus routes nearby to the airport, and was likely to attract visitors from coach parties, he added.

A coach pick-up, drop-off and delivery area would be created opposite the development on Walpole Avenue.

The planning officer who recommended the plans for approval deemed there was sufficient parking in the centre of Douglas for the development.

The development complies with a number of government policies in terms of tourism development and, since the exterior would remain largely unchanged, the development would not impact on the character of the street scene, the planning officer found.

Aside from one tenant whose lease runs out at the end of October, the building is unoccupied.

The plans were unanimously approved by the planning committee.

Owner Keith Lord said he expected the construction to be complete by the end of 2025, with the facilities due to open for the 2026 season.