Plans to develop derelict Douglas square welcomed

The development will see office and retail space face onto Douglas Promenade

Plans to redevelop an “underutilised and derelict” former public square in the Isle of Man’s capital will transform it into a “vibrant space for commercial and hotel leisure facilities”, the enterprise minister has said.

The Tevir Group this week secured planning approval for a hotel, office and retail complex on Villiers Square in Douglas.

The project was one of the first three earmarked for funding from a government scheme to promote the redevelopment of urban sites.

Tim Johnston MHK said plans would “not only improve the urban landscape” but also “contribute real economic benefit to the city”.

Mr Johnston said the Department for Enterprise was “pleased” to support the project through the government’s Island Infrastructure Scheme, which is set to provide about 25% of the development costs.

The scheme was created to “leverage private sector funding, capability and skills” to “secure the regeneration of complex urban unoccupied sites”, he added.

The complex would also include an 80-bedroom hotel

The multimillion-pound development received the unanimous backing of the island’s planning committee.

Managing director of the Tevir Group Ciaran Doherty said he was “delighted” the plans had been given the green light.

The development, which includes a six-storey 80-bedroom hotel, would “transform this important part of Douglas and bring benefits for residents, visitors and local businesses”.

The government scheme had “played a key role” in enabling the group to progress the plans, he added.

On Monday the planning committee heard there had not been any significant development on much of the site, which is also adjacent to part of Ridgeway Street, for about 30 years.