Former Newson's building and Duke Street site offered assistance through Island Infrastructure Scheme
Two long-stalled development sites in Douglas have been offered conditional funding through the Island Infrastructure Scheme.
That's government's initiative which sees up to 25 percent of eligible development costs provided to brownfield redevelopment projects.
The latest projects to be offered financial support are the redevelopment of the former Newson's building on North Quay and the former KFC/ Griddles site on Duke Street.
The two sites join others at Villiers Square and Lake Road in Douglas, and Ocean Castle in Port Erin to receive funding through the IIS.
The Department for Enterprise says the five schemes together bring the total private sector investment proposed to nearly £80m.
In October, the North Quay development had planning permission granted to go ahead for Number 27 and 28 on Douglas' North Quay.
The site is set to receive nine apartments, one townhouse and four commercial units.
Image: The "long-stalled" Newson's development in 2022 - credit: Manx Radio
Image: Artist's impression of what the site on North Quay could look like - credit: Savage + Chadwick Architects
Meanwhile, Duke Street is 'progressing' through the planning application process and has been approved in principle through the scheme, subject to planning approval.
It hopes to provide 38 serviced apartments alongside new retail space.
Demolition of the former KFC building had begun in 2020, however, after a frame had been erected, work seemed to have stalled.
It supposedly resumed in 2023 but there appears to have been minimal progress since.
Image: The 'skeletal' Duke Street site - credit: Charles Guard
Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston says: ‘I welcome the approval of these two further sites though the Scheme, which seek to transform and regenerate key sites in lower Douglas into vibrant residential, commercial and retail facilities. These sites have been unoccupied for a number of years, and their redevelopment will deliver significant visual and amenity improvements to prominent locations within Douglas.
‘A key ambition within both the Island Plan and Economic Strategy is to further develop the infrastructure and services needed by our community. By providing funding through the Economic Strategy Fund, we are supporting and incentivising private sector investment across our Island, aligning with the long-term ambition to secure £1bn of investment and helping to create a vibrant, sustainable and attractive environment for both residents and visitors.
‘Since the initial launch in 2023, I am pleased to see the continued progress of previously announced sites, with groundworks well underway for both Villier’s Square and Lake Road which are due to be completed late 2027, early 2028. Additionally, Ocean Castle in Port Erin has recently received full planning and is progressing to the delivery phase in the coming months.’
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