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Plan for Douglas town centre grot spot
VAST IMPROVEMENT: AXA hopes work will start soon to transform Villiers Square, Douglas (below). It submitted this drawing as part of its new planning application.
WORK is due to start in April on a major development on the site of one of the capital’s top grot spot.
AXA has had planning permission in place since 2004 for a scheme including 60 flats, ground floor shops and underground parking at Villiers Square.
The company has now applied (13/00163/B) to government planners for approval for amendments to the scheme.
In the planning statement by agent Haworth Tompkins, submitted as part of AXA’s application, it states: ‘Following advice from retail and residential agents the consented scheme has been modified to reflect recent market changes.
‘There is no change to the number of units proposed and the basic massing and elevational treatment are unaffected.’
In the document it says that planning permission on the original scheme had been extended over the years and was now due to expire on April 21.
It continues: ‘Pre-commencement planning conditions have been discharged and it is anticipated that work will start on site in early April 2013.’
Across the six-storey development there would be a mixture of one to four-bedroom flats and maisonettes.
A two-storey retail space, glazed on three sides, would be located at the base of the building.
It is intended for this space to ‘be prominent’ by people walking along Regent Street towards the promenades.
Above the retail space there would be three flats, each with an open terrace.
This layout is one of the proposed amendments to the original scheme.
In the statement it says the design amendments were proposed because Regent Street was now a primary route connecting the retail area to the seafront.
Other amendments include reducing the number of residential entrances off Loch Promenade, modifications to the flats’ layouts and ‘minor’ changes to the building’s elevations.
The application also confirms AXA’s landscaping proposals.
The statement acknowledges that over the last 10 years ‘the existing landscape has not been maintained and as a result now presents a rather sorry and unattractive space’.
It continues: ‘It is imperative that the landscape in this area is improved to provide an attractive amenity for any potential residents, as well as retail users and to discourage anti-social behaviour.’
In order to do this, it proposes that maintenance is carried out, additional trees and shrubs are planted, new paving around the building’s perimeter, and the replacement of failed/damaged lighting.
Parking provision – 60 spaces – remains unchanged.
Villiers Square – Douglas town square – opened in July 2003 at the site of the former Villiers Hotel.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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