Hartford Homes has submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of the long-derelict Bay Queen site in Port St Mary.

The site already has planning approval to build 56 flats in two blocks.

Hartford’s proposed scheme is for two slightly smaller blocks comprising a total of 45 flats.

The original approval is more than a decade old and many have commented that it would not offer the right scheme for the site.

The company says: ’Time and persistence from the local family firms design team aim to put that right.

’The revised scheme addresses these concerns, and takes into account several comments from the public consultation held in January of this year.’

If approved, Hartford plans to start the development within six months, following the preparation of the construction detailing package.

The proposed scheme will reinstate the site’s the most notable feature, the towers, and ’provides an important and much improved backdrop to the promenade and the proposed Port St Mary Conservation Area’.

The company says that changes from the original planning approval are ’immediately apparent in terms of a dramatically improved set of elevations’.

Other notable points are that the main building reduces from seven floors to six, and 34 flats to 28.

The rear building also sees a reduction in flats from 22 to 17.

By the main entrance, with additional car parking, there will a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the sea views, port and harbour.

James Greenhalgh, a director of Hartford Homes said; ’We are delighted to hopefully be in the final stages of what has been a long but very necessary consultation and design development process.

’Looking at the building now, all but totally derelict, we have a unique opportunity to bring back the majesty of the site and enhance the area dramatically.

’We know from the public consultation earlier this year that there is a real need for the site to be developed as soon as possible.’

He said that the Bay Queen plans had taken some time in preparation because Hartford had tried to ensure that all modern design requirements were accounted for while ensuring that the elevations, layout and finishes were equally complimentary.

He added: ’We have to thank the planning team, the conservation officer, the commissioners and everyone who has helped with the consultations for their help, expertise and constructive thoughts.

’As with all our island-wide developments, we are not looking to simply build as many units as cheaply as possible.

’Our focus, as it always is, will be to produce superb quality homes based very much on the way people live their lives today and to enhance the area to retain, or create, a real sense of community.

’The building itself has many clever touches that won’t be immediately apparent, all designed to enhance the visual aspect, such as the top floor being set back, lowering the height of the front elevation when walking past.

’High quality bronze styled cladding will be used to add interest and break up the overall mass of the building, which also includes enhanced architectural features which model the walls and rooflines to complement the existing street scene. We have also developed a comprehensive landscaping scheme which will replace the current poor quality trees with 45 new trees, hedges, shrubs and lawns to provide a new eco-habitat.’

Hartford Homes says it has already had substantial interest in the development, which will include 45 two-, three- and four-bedroom flats.

balconies

In the main building, all flats will have balconies from which residents will have sea views. The rear building flats will have views of the countryside and Gansey bay.

’We have already received many inquiries,’ said Mr Greenhalgh. ’That is testament to the unrivalled location of the development.

’All of our developments sell out, and our more recent sites in the south have proven incredibly popular.

’This doesn’t happen by chance, but is an exhaustive process we have evolved, and keep evolving, of understanding exactly what our homeowners want in their new homes. Bringing all of our expertise to this new site will be an exciting challenge, and one which we can’t wait to start."

Planning decisions are anticipated within two to three months from the submission date and if approved work would start soon afterwards.