Plans submitted to change office into children's care facility

Planning permission is being sought to create a new childcare facility with outdoor play area in Douglas city centre.

Smart Bird Rocks Ltd wants to transform existing vacant office space in St Thomas House on Victoria Street.

If approved the company would take advantage of the existing footprint of the building and create an additional area by utilising the flat roof on the northern side of the building. 

The roof area would be transformed into an external children’s play space with a glazed barrier to enclose its perimeter.

The plans would allow for a capacity of up to 75 children and 15 staff.

It is proposing opening hours of 7.45am to 6pm to 'serve the intended clientele in the business, retail and service sectors all located within close proximity'.

This could also be extended to include some operating hours on weekends (10am-4pm).

The company says it wants to 'provide a facility that parents/carers can utilise for a short time while they use the shops in the city centre. 

The planning application states: 'This facility is yet to be confirmed and it will be dependent on market demand which has yet to be established. 

'The utilisation of this provision at weekends will have a reduced impact on the surrounding areas as the use is expected to be lower than that during the working week.'

Existing level of off-road parking would be utilised including the existing public parking services situated within the area and onsite with two spaces reserved for staff and the remaining two spaces as a drop-off point for parents.

The application is currently pending consideration – you can find out more HERE.