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Douglas Council's £1.4m play area scheme to go to planning next spring

Monday, 2 December 2024 15:35

By Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper

A number of changes have been made to the scheme

Douglas Council says its £1.4m Marine Gardens scheme will be going before the planning committee next spring. 

A number of changes will be made to the designs including a 'scaling back' of the maritime themed area due to infrastructure underneath the site.

The Queen's Promenade will have a garden design featuring skate park equipment, instead of a dedicated space for wheeled sports.

Nearly 600 residents had their say about the scheme; and the council says it wants to 'refurbish' the gardens and make sure they're 'preserved'.

Council Leader, Claire Wells said: "It was imperative everyone with an interest got to have their say to inform and shape our plans so a sincere thank you to all those who attended the consultation events and shared a range of feedback.

"As an authority we may not be responsible for the overall promenade refurbishment, nor schemes such as the sea defences, but we want to play our part to manage and maintain Douglas’ parks, play areas and open spaces to high standards.

"From the outset of this process, the ambition has always been to create a leisure and recreation space for the whole community to enjoy and relax in, encourage play for children of all ages and abilities, provide shelters from the weather, and gardens which are preserved and restored sympathetically.

"The Promenade is not only the shop window in the capital for anyone arriving by sea but also a key public space adjacent to the city’s main shopping and leisure area.

"After listening to residents, answering any questions or concerns they had and sharing more information about the project, we are now in a position to work up a detailed proposal with a view to submitting an official planning application next spring."

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