Newson's on the Quay

[Newsdesk]

1 hour ago, Banker said:

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/8-million-project-to-revamp-north-quay-shelved-after-planning-refusal/

Another resounding success for the lobbying powers of Michael Josem and the 500 people who signed his desperate petition on behalf of his backers. 

[2bees]

Are planning mad? The building is no more than a barn with windows! Oooh keep the quay, why? There aren’t loads of fishing boats coming into the Harbour (spell check…2 times changing it is enough) anymore. We need nice places.

I’m over my old attitude of saving buildings just because they’re old, we should save buildings of architectural interest (& Peel), I have a book about Manx architecture it’s very good. shame about the Majestic ofc (& looks like the Groudle is heading the same way) but there are other Baillie Scott buildings which are less “mass produced” & are being saved take Castletown police station for example. 

 

[Merkin]

15 minutes ago, 2bees said:

Are planning mad? The building is no more than a barn with windows! Oooh keep the quay, why? There aren’t loads of fishing boats coming into the Harbour (spell check…2 times changing it is enough) anymore. We need nice places.

I’m over my old attitude of saving buildings just because they’re old, we should save buildings of architectural interest (& Peel), I have a book about Manx architecture it’s very good. shame about the Majestic ofc (& looks like the Groudle is heading the same way) but there are other Baillie Scott buildings which are less “mass produced” & are being saved take Castletown police station for example. 

 

Yes Bees.  Feel ya, 100%.  This is not logical in any sense.  Feels personal and spiteful.  It is hardly an attractive building as it stands and getting an old building with significant inherent defects up to 2022 building regs is not gonna work.  The age of the building should not determine whether it is of significance.    What Douglas and the island needs is updating.

[Two-lane]

From Maska's radio interview:

"You do need specialists involved in my experience. I'd like to think that we are moving into a new mindset in terms of the climate change emergency. There is a lot of embodied carbon already existing in these buildings and rather than designating them to a hole in the ground, you know, for fill, there are ways of revitalising and making the buildings the heart of an exciting project."

It is not just a matter of architecture, it is part of the carbon-neutral scheme.

[Mistercee]

30 minutes ago, Two-lane said:

From Maska's radio interview:

"You do need specialists involved in my experience. I'd like to think that we are moving into a new mindset in terms of the climate change emergency. There is a lot of embodied carbon already existing in these buildings and rather than designating them to a hole in the ground, you know, for fill, there are ways of revitalising and making the buildings the heart of an exciting project."

It is not just a matter of architecture, it is part of the carbon-neutral scheme.

How does this attitude / stance sit with her position in Tynwald?  On one hand we have a desire to see some long-needed improvements to the Quay area yet we have an UNELECTED member of Government putting her two penneth in to oppose this scheme.

Did she achieve anything when she was employed by Government as "Building Conservation Officer". Judging by her profile on the Tynwald website she appears to be another one in the Rob Callister mould with a string of letters after her name that she seems to think give her credibility. She needs to get into the real world - it is this sort of attitude that results in nothing getting done other than Government projects that end up as cock ups. Perhaps she should have got involved in the Promenade and Liverpool Ferry Terminal projects - her architectural expertise would have been invaluable.  

      Tynwald - Parliament of the Isle of Man - MASKA Marlene Madora MLC

[Albert Tatlock]

3 minutes ago, Mistercee said:

How does this attitude / stance sit with her position in Tynwald?  On one hand we have a desire to see some long-needed improvements to the Quay area yet we have an UNELECTED member of Government putting her two penneth in to oppose this scheme.

Did she achieve anything when she was employed by Government as "Building Conservation Officer". Judging by her profile on the Tynwald website she appears to be another one in the Rob Callister mould with a string of letters after her name that she seems to think give her credibility. She needs to get into the real world - it is this sort of attitude that results in nothing getting done other than Government projects that end up as cock ups. Perhaps she should have got involved in the Promenade and Liverpool Ferry Terminal projects - her architectural expertise would have been invaluable.  

      Tynwald - Parliament of the Isle of Man - MASKA Marlene Madora MLC

[Andy Onchan]

50 minutes ago, Two-lane said:

From Maska's radio interview:

"You do need specialists involved in my experience. I'd like to think that we are moving into a new mindset in terms of the climate change emergency. There is a lot of embodied carbon already existing in these buildings and rather than designating them to a hole in the ground, you know, for fill, there are ways of revitalising and making the buildings the heart of an exciting project."

It is not just a matter of architecture, it is part of the carbon-neutral scheme.

What's that mean in plain English?

[The Phantom]

1 minute ago, Andy Onchan said:

What's that mean in plain English?

I honestly think she is suggesting that old buildings are some sort of carbon sink.... 

Considering most of them are made predominantly from actual stone, I'm completely baffled. 

[The Phantom]

From Kelproperties  Linkedin page

This decision today by the planning committee is a direct repudiation of the Isle of Man Government's policy to create a better and more prosperous #IsleOfMan while improving the environment and our town centres.

We have spent several years trying to invest £8 million to fix this crumbling eyesore, but have been unable to overcome the objections of the planners.

This was an environmentally responsible project to rehabilitate a dilapidated brownfield site, create more homes and create more jobs, while investing in our high street to create entertainment for our community. People who want a vibrant #Douglas town centre have lost. People who want to create good jobs have lost. People who want to enhance our environment have lost. People who want to create housing for Manx families have lost.

The planners' recommendation to refuse totally contradicted last week's Government policy conference. Consequently, the property is now for sale with immediate effect to allow someone else to try. Interested buyers can contact Cowley Groves Estate Agents, Isle of Man, UK. for further information.

We feel the planning meeting did not have access to well-balanced information. The engineer supporting objections was allowed to continually speak, whereas our architect was only given 3 minutes, and our engineer was not allowed to speak at all to challenge what they were saying. That needs to change to give a more fair planning hearing.

Finally, we wish to thank those 500+ members of the public who signed our petition to save Douglas Quay.

FOR SALE: 22-28 North Quay, Douglas IM1 4LE, Isle of Man

Edited September 27, 2022 by The Phantom

[Albert Tatlock]

3 minutes ago, The Phantom said:

From Kelproperties  Linkedin page

This decision today by the planning committee is a direct repudiation of the Isle of Man Government's policy to create a better and more prosperous #IsleOfMan while improving the environment and our town centres.

We have spent several years trying to invest £8 million to fix this crumbling eyesore, but have been unable to overcome the objections of the planners.

This was an environmentally responsible project to rehabilitate a dilapidated brownfield site, create more homes and create more jobs, while investing in our high street to create entertainment for our community. People who want a vibrant #Douglas town centre have lost. People who want to create good jobs have lost. People who want to enhance our environment have lost. People who want to create housing for Manx families have lost.

The planners' recommendation to refuse totally contradicted last week's Government policy conference. Consequently, the property is now for sale with immediate effect to allow someone else to try. Interested buyers can contact Cowley Groves Estate Agents, Isle of Man, UK. for further information.

We feel the planning meeting did not have access to well-balanced information. The engineer supporting objections was allowed to continually speak, whereas our architect was only given 3 minutes, and our engineer was not allowed to speak at all to challenge what they were saying. That needs to change to give a more fair planning hearing.

Finally, we wish to thank those 500+ members of the public who signed our petition to save Douglas Quay.

FOR SALE: 22-28 North Quay, Douglas IM1 4LE, Isle of Man

Government need to overturn this decision ASAP - like today.

[Non-Believer]

She didn't take this view when she was on Ramsey Commissioners, knocking down the Lezayre Estate (the Pondy) to replace with much needed new build.

Perhaps she'd like to calculate how much carbon will be involved in trying to heat this dilapidated 200 year old building if it's retained?

So now we're going to have a "regenerated" Douglas Harbour and quayside with a ruinous, near derelict Victorian warehouse as its centrepiece.

I bet the pigeons are relieved.

[The Phantom]

1 minute ago, Albert Tatlock said:

Government need to overturn this decision ASAP - like today.

The Government which says NO. 

[Newsdesk]

5 minutes ago, The Phantom said:

From Kelproperties  Linkedin page

This decision today by the planning committee is a direct repudiation of the Isle of Man Government's policy to create a better and more prosperous #IsleOfMan while improving the environment and our town centres.

We have spent several years trying to invest £8 million to fix this crumbling eyesore, but have been unable to overcome the objections of the planners.
 

It just proves that everything said at the IOM Government Conference last week was absolute shite. This island is screwed. Absolutely screwed. Who realistically is going to be prepared to buy that in order to try again? 

[b4mbi]

Quite astounding if they've effectively turned down a private investment of £8m in Douglas.

Isle of Man, where you can't.

[The Phantom]

7 minutes ago, Newsdesk said:

It just proves that everything said at the IOM Government Conference last week was absolute shite. This island is screwed. Absolutely screwed. Who realistically is going to be prepared to buy that in order to try again? 

I was hoping and waiting to see that a change of Government might have made a change.  Unfortunately we are now just over 1 year in and things are just getting worse.  This almost seems to me like the proverbial camel's straw:

Want to develop a falling down warehouse on the Quay – No

Want to develop a falling down cottage/cafe on the beach – No

Want to bring new business to the Island without excessive red tape – No

Want a grant to make your house more green – No

Want to have any kind of realistic renewable energy plan – No

Want a Government infrastructure project remotely on time or on budget – No

Want any Government project to be successful – No

Want schools at least on par with the UK – No

Want a functioning health service – No

Want some horses pulling a tram blocking the middle of an arterial main road – yes