Flat proposal for hotel land ditched in favour of houses

The houses would be behind a development that boasts 23 apartments, cafe, gym and spa

A proposal to turn the land behind a former hotel in the south of the Isle of Man into flats has been ditched in favour of houses instead.

Plans to redevelop the Bayqueen Hotel in Port St Mary were approved in 2021, which included 23 apartments, a cafe, spa and gym and construction has begun.

An additional block of 11 apartments behind the site were also approved at the time, but now, the developer Hartford Homes, wants to replace this proposal with the construction of three houses.

George Li, architect at Hartford Homes said the redesign was because sales were "slower" for the rear apartment block and construction had not yet begun.

The approved plans would replace previously approved plans for 11 apartments

Mr Li added: "We are keen to ensure that the overall development is completed and sold as speedily as possible."

After reviewing the plans, the "offering" for the land to the rear of the hotel "should be different to the apartments on the front of the site", he continued.

Each detached house would have four bedrooms, a private garden, an integrated garage and a first floor terrace.

Committee member Matthew Young said he was surprised the company had "not gone for apartments", but that the houses were "beautiful buildings".

Fellow committee member Helen Hughes said she thought it was "a nice location and layout".

The plans were unanimously approved by the committee.