Westmoreland Village

[Passing Time]

7 hours ago, offshoremanxman said:

If it’s the same Andy Malone who owns the Nags Head it likely won’t go well. I wouldn’t mess with him. 

Why? he's not the Krays FFS

[Omobono]

went along to the presentation today , left with more questions than answers , all of the properties  will be to let , non for sale    money for the development will come from loan from Bank , apparently NO government money involved ,

some  adjoining property  in the area still needs to be purchased,  architects ,design, and structural engineers are from the UK , seem unaware of parking requirements  and stated government has power to change the planning rules , to fit this futuristic  and active travel project ,       Existing  1930's and poorly constructed and insulated Jane  Crookall buildings to be converted into offices  management company to look after gardens and green spaces  there is going to be a block available  for 50's+ didn't call it elderly persons , 

Nurses Home seems to be a separate development  possibly fronted by someone else , 

apart from an over intensive use of the site there is a complete lack of parking , and an impression they have governments ear to do what ever they like , 

and finally they expect to have planning and  to be  on site by October ,  obviously don't understand Manx planning system and a development like this should go to a full public enquiry with environmental impact assessment

I did ask where all the building material and suitable tradesmen were coming from to built the scheme  and weather an Isle of man factor had been built into the costings ,  which received a vague expression 

anyone else been    along  there for a look ?  or shared similar views 

 

[Non-Believer]

7 minutes ago, Omobono said:

money for the development will come from loan from Bank , apparently NO government money involved

Has Mike Proffitt been recalled for this..?

[offshoremanxman]

4 minutes ago, Omobono said:

went along to the presentation today , left with more questions than answers , all of the properties  will be to let , non for sale    money for the development will come from loan from Bank , apparently NO government money involved ,

Yes I popped in today. That’s a fair assessment it’s clear that it’s going to go ahead whether anyone objects or not and whether it makes any sense or not. They won’t be listening and they really don’t care what anyone has to say about it all. Did you fill in and leave the feedback form? It will be interesting to see what happens to those. I also heard the first sitting commercial property has now agreed to be bought off at an amount over £1M. Only a few more to go. Of course they will be looking to rent the units out as the total build cost wont make any of them financially assessable to first time buyers or key workers as the cost per unit is likely going to be around £250K. 

[Banker]

8 hours ago, Omobono said:

went along to the presentation today , left with more questions than answers , all of the properties  will be to let , non for sale    money for the development will come from loan from Bank , apparently NO government money involved ,

some  adjoining property  in the area still needs to be purchased,  architects ,design, and structural engineers are from the UK , seem unaware of parking requirements  and stated government has power to change the planning rules , to fit this futuristic  and active travel project ,       Existing  1930's and poorly constructed and insulated Jane  Crookall buildings to be converted into offices  management company to look after gardens and green spaces  there is going to be a block available  for 50's+ didn't call it elderly persons , 

Nurses Home seems to be a separate development  possibly fronted by someone else , 

apart from an over intensive use of the site there is a complete lack of parking , and an impression they have governments ear to do what ever they like , 

and finally they expect to have planning and  to be  on site by October ,  obviously don't understand Manx planning system and a development like this should go to a full public enquiry with environmental impact assessment

I did ask where all the building material and suitable tradesmen were coming from to built the scheme  and weather an Isle of man factor had been built into the costings ,  which received a vague expression 

anyone else been    along  there for a look ?  or shared similar views 

 

They can overcome planning restrictions in national interest projects which this will be classed as despite the Manx crab’s objections 

[2112]

1 hour ago, Banker said:

They can overcome planning restrictions in national interest projects which this will be classed as despite the Manx crab’s objections 

When you trot out ex CM Bells favourite phrase ‘national interest’ alarms bells should be ringing. Yes, I went to the presentation and can back up @Omobono @offshoremanxman observations. Yes it’s a good scheme, I don’t think that most people would disagree. Lots of ‘issues’ remain and riding roughshod over everyone like a quasi government dictatorial institution to get its way isn’t going to win friends. Overcoming planning restrictions in the national interests? Could it be like Mount Murray, build now then get criticised? 

[Roger Mexico]

23 minutes ago, 2112 said:

Could it be like Mount Murray, build now then get criticised? 

And of course the building of Mount Murray ended up being effectively paid for by the taxpayer.  The flurry about this site followed Tynwald deciding to give £10 million to property developers who aren't very good at developing property.

And if all the properties are for rental, how many of them will be allocated to key workers, whose rents are paid or subsidised by the government?

[2112]

The Scouts are getting a new Scout Hall which is doubling up as a Community Hall - perfect site for those requisition meetings, and the shit storm to follow, when the usual meeting places, Crets Palace, Legion, All Saints etc are ignored. 

[2112]

37 minutes ago, Roger Mexico said:

And of course the building of Mount Murray ended up being effectively paid for by the taxpayer.  The flurry about this site followed Tynwald deciding to give £10 million to property developers who aren't very good at developing property.

And if all the properties are for rental, how many of them will be allocated to key workers, whose rents are paid or subsidised by the government?

Have they the answers or is it build it and worry later? Principle great and it will improve the area, but things haven’t been thought through. Unintended Consequences.

Edited January 29, 2023 by 2112

[Zarley]

15 hours ago, offshoremanxman said:

Did you fill in and leave the feedback form? It will be interesting to see what happens to those. 

Well that's a no-brainer; they'll go into cardboard boxes and sent off to Ashford and his industrial strength shredder. 

Allegedly. 

[Kopek]

A very good presentation which you wouldn't get from a private development ?

Most of the 30k sq ft of  commercial is in the Crookall office building, the retail units are small and aimed at eg. Hairdressers and not catering units.

Generally, I think it is a good development, it's hoped/known that DBC will take on the 45 'Elderly' units to release other housing stock. It looks like it could be a  nice little community? Parking will become a problem but then parking is a problem on every estate? ( and Town streets!!!).

I ticked positively for all but the 'Cycle Paths' question!!!

[Max Power]

6 hours ago, 2112 said:

The Scouts are getting a new Scout Hall which is doubling up as a Community Hall - perfect site for those requisition meetings, and the shit storm to follow, when the usual meeting places, Crets Palace, Legion, All Saints etc are ignored. 

I think that’s a mistake as 1st Douglas own the freehold of their HQ and car park. I can’t see them giving that up to share as their place is in use every week night and some weekends?

[2112]

3 hours ago, Max Power said:

I think that’s a mistake as 1st Douglas own the freehold of their HQ and car park. I can’t see them giving that up to share as their place is in use every week night and some weekends?

They definitely have, they are getting a new building doubling as a community centre. No doubt being used for election counts screw ups as well. Let’s face it the Scouts would be easily compliant compared to other property owners and businesses. 

[Omobono]

7 minutes ago, 2112 said:

They definitely have, they are getting a new building doubling as a community centre. No doubt being used for election counts screw ups as well. Let’s face it the Scouts would be easily compliant compared to other property owners and businesses. 

but the scouts derive income by letting out their existing parking during the week , they need to be careful they dont loose that income stream otherwise they will find themselves in financial difficulty quite quickly  on the drawings the replacement scout hall is shown as community use / scout hall ,so someone need to watch out for the weasel words or small print in any agreement  and finally there is  a total lack of parking  so  50 year olds in sheltered  units   all have cars ,and so do the families and friends who come to visit them  so the minimum standards must be met at all costs  otherwise the whole area will be rammed with cars 

[Kopek]

Just like the rest of Douglas?

The @elderly' part will have underground/1st floor parking with two lifts to serve the apartments, whether it's 45 spaces is not stated.

All areas will have visitors so not any different to any area Island wide???

Parking will certainly become a problem, no one will want to pay for 'off street' parking, so there will be a lot of disc time changing for those at home and pain for those who have walked to work. Hillside, Desmaine and Allen sts will be choked!!! This is not any different to the rest of Douglas?  Perhaps the School, Nobles car parks could be available for overnight parking? Off by 8am?

More positivity please.