The face of Lower Douglas is set to change dramatically after Douglas Borough Council announced its ?12.7 million investment to redevelop Cambrian Place at Lord Street.

The project, which will provide a 460-space multi-storey car park, new premises for the Henry Bloom Noble Library, offices for the Council’s ICT operation and new public conveniences, was revealed by Council Leader Councillor David Christian JP in his annual review and presentation of the budget for the 2012-2013 financial year which he delivered at a special public meeting of the Council on Friday January 27.

Councillor Christian said: ‘This development will be the largest undertaken by the Council outside of housing and is the clearest demonstration yet that this is a Council very much focused on building for the future. Members voted unanimously in favour of the scheme which exemplifies this Council’s farsightedness and which, once completed, will be a landmark development at a gateway to the capital, entrenching Douglas’s position as a forward-looking local authority determined to take the town forward.

‘For some time the Council had been looking for a suitable new site for the library, a site that we could own rather than lease, as is the case currently in Victoria Street. While the cost of the project will be considerable, the end result will be a valuable asset to the Council and the town.

‘No longer will we be paying in the region of ?150,000 a year in rent for the library premises and we will have saved in the region of ?117,000, the sum we had allocated to provide new public conveniences on the “snake pit” site at the junction of Fort Street and Victoria Street.’

A planning application is expected to be submitted in February. Land purchase in the next financial year will be funded in part from savings, proceeds from the sale of various assets combined with a loan agreement - charges for which will be offset to some extent by savings in rent no longer being paid for the library premises - and income generated from the new car park.

Councillor Christian continued: ‘The development will be tendered by the developer locally and create much needed new employment opportunities. It will also kick-start the regeneration of Lower Douglas, encouraging further investment in the surrounding area, notably the Middlemarch site bordered by Walpole Avenue, Lord Street and Victoria Street. Here it is hoped the Council’s Cambrian Place project will serve as the catalyst to transform this area for leisure and entertainment. Moreover, when the Middlemarch site is developed, the Council will benefit from additional rate-generated income, estimated to be in the region of ?50,000 a year.’

The 2012-2013 budget makes a ?2.8 million provision to begin the redevelopment. ‘For the 2013-2014 budget and beyond it is anticipated there will be a modest shortfall to accommodate the charges which will have to be met through the rate levy, but I would draw Douglas ratepayers’ attention to the fact that the town will benefit from a new and valuable asset,’ said Councillor Christian.

He continued: ‘Findings from a recent study commissioned by the government to look at car parking provision across the Island confirmed what we in Douglas already knew; that there is an urgent need for more car parking in the town. When the Middlemarch site is developed it will generate demand for an estimated 300 extra spaces, demand the Cambrian Place project will amply meet and exceed.’

The Sefton Group has confirmed it continues to progress with its intention of relocating to the adjacent Middlemarch site. Chief executive Brett Martin said: ‘The provision of adequate customer parking is a key requirement in our proposed redevelopment and the shortage of parking in this area is already an issue for the existing businesses there.   This commitment by the Council is a really positive step both in terms of meeting current demand and in enabling the whole area to be redeveloped to its full potential.  We are finalising our proposals for the site and hope to be able to make a firm announcement on this development in the near future.’

The Cambrian Place site is to be developed by Cumbria-based Time & Tide, currently responsible for a new housing development, McLeod’s Field in Peel. Managing director John Asplin said: ‘Subject to planning approval we would hope to commence the development this summer and anticipate completion to be late 2013. We see this development playing a catalyst role in the regeneration of lower Douglas. We have exciting plans for the area and applaud Douglas Borough Council’s progressive attitude to investing in the capital.

‘As a group we have identified regions we see as appropriate in which to invest. The Isle of Man offers a good balance of economic stability and opportunity that is a good fit with our growth aspirations.’

Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK said: ‘The Council is to be congratulated for being prepared to make a significant investment at this time in the public infrastructure of lower Douglas. This is a positive initiative which will help the Island’s economy by providing work for the construction industry and by complementing the ongoing regeneration of the town centre.’
Councillor Christian concluded: ‘The Council has seized this opportunity to demonstrate its ambition for the future and to renew and reinvigorate Lower Douglas. I can only hope our determination and vision will galvanise the government into action to give urgent attention to the neighbouring Lord Street bus station site.’

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