Housing workers' temporary compound plan submitted

Plans have been submitted to build a temporary compound for housing contractors on an area of open land in Douglas.

It would be built off Ballanard Road and Barrule Road in the Manx capital to support those working on the £40m refurbishment of social housing in Willaston.

Last month, a group of nearby residents held a meeting to oppose the plans, arguing there should be no building on the community recreation area.

But Douglas Council said the site had been chosen to "minimise disruption to residents" and "reduce construction traffic" during the refurbishment work.

The "proportionate and necessary" plans would "enhance safety and improve operational efficiency", the council said.

The proposals will now be considered by the planning committee.

While acknowledging the compound would likely occupy part of the playing field for five years, and that some disruption would be "unavoidable", the council said a substantial area of open space would remain publicly accessible throughout.

The council said the refurbishment work was an "essential investment" for the area and would address long-standing structural issues and modernise the homes of about 700 families.

The area is also "already well-served" by a number of green spaces, the council said, adding that efforts to "engage with residents to ensure their voices are heard and their concerns addressed" will continue.

While some residents raised concerns about the compound plans' likely impact on local wildlife, the council said no trees would be removed to accommodate it.

But it said that, due to recent storm damage, consultation with the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture had resulted in the decision to remove and replace a number of trees in the area.

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