Planning application re-submitted for Douglas sea wall

Work already taking place despite expired permission

A planning application has been re-submitted to create the new sea wall on Douglas Promenade.

That's despite work in the area already taking place. 

The Department of Infrastructure wants to build a 1.2 metre reinforced concrete wall along 500 metres of the existing walkway to replace the railings which are currently still in place. 

It's hoped the new structure will reduce coastal overtopping in the area with drainage incorporated into the structure.

Previous permission was approved in May 2020 but expired in May this year.

The Department of Infrastructure was granted permission at appeal by the then-Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture Geoffrey Boot.

That decision stated that Mr Boot 'considered the report, concurs with the appointed person’s conclusions, and accepts the recommendation that the appeal should be allowed'.

It was confirmed with the stipulation that: "The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice."

In a statement a DoI spokesperson said: "The Douglas sea wall project is designed to reduce the effect of overtopping in the future as well as protect Isle of Man Government assets - specifically the promenade highway and horse tram tacks.

"A new planning application is now in place - 24/00743/B - with work fully commenced on a section to the north of Broadway. 

"The new submission is identical to the previous one - 19/00755/ - which expired on 1 May 2024

"The Department of Infrastructure notified the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture that it wished to continue with works and confirmed that a further planning application would be submitted in order to regularise the situation."