THE Department of Social Care will ask for Tynwald approval to spend almost three million pounds on the redevelopment of the Clagh Vane estate.

The sum of £2,942,000, if approved, will be used to build 12 two bedroom apartments and four two bedroom bungalows.

Both the apartments and bungalows will be built in a similar style to new housing which is nearing completion in the same area.

16 two bedroom apartments and one two bedroom bungalow have already been built on the estate and a new junction with Douglas Road has also been created.

Social Care Minister Martyn Quayle MHK said: "This scheme demonstrates my department's on-going commitment to the phased redevelopment of the Clagh Vane housing estate including modernising its infrastructure - some of which dates back to the 1940s. 

"The department and the developer are sensitive to the fact that it can be difficult for residents during the building works and we will continue to work hard to minimise the impact. That said the finished product, which is now starting to appear elsewhere on Clagh Vane, demonstrates the value of such investment to ensure a high standard of public sector housing in Ballasalla and across the Island."

The development works, which are referred to as Project 4, also includes the demolition and clearance of existing empty houses, the creation of a new access lane and car parking. A communal biomass boiler house will also be constructed which will use wood chip fuel supplied from the forestry division of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

Work on Project 4 will start as soon as possible subject to Tynwald approval next week. 

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