Western promenade community hub plans to progress

Plans to replace rundown tennis courts with a community hub in a western town are progressing following a public consultation, the local authority has confirmed.

The proposals by Peel Commissioners to regenerate a section of the seaside town's promenade were approved on appeal in September.

Town clerk Derek Sewell said about 200 people shared their views on the plans for the site on Marine Parade, which include a cafe, bowling clubhouse, and public toilets.

The board have agreed to move forward with the planning application, despite concerns the facility would provide similar services to those already on offer nearby.

The proposed development, at the northern end of Peel Promenade, includes a community room and a cafe with a capacity of 56 inside seats and a further 44 outside.

The site lies in an area designated for tourism under the local development plan.

Designs for the hub went on display during a series of public drop-ins at Peel Town Hall, which saw 30 people attend the weekday sessions and almost 70 join a Saturday session.

At the board of commissioners' February public meeting, Mr Sewell also confirmed there had also been 100 responses to an online consultation.

Explaining some of the findings he told the board 92% of respondents said they "would like to see new toilets", whilst 75% agreed that a new cafe should be included the plans.

The clerk confirmed two businesses that were situated in the closest positions to the site, a hotel and a bowling green club, were in support of the proposals.

But he told the meeting eight respondents, predominantly businesses, said it would be a "duplication" of what was already on offer in Peel.

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