Plans have been unveiled for an animal hospital on the site of a car showroom at Mylchreests garage in Millmount, Douglas.

The proposal would result in bringing in 18 skilled jobs and sick pets would no longer need to travel off-island for CT scans.

ACD Projects Ltd have submitted an application (20/01114/B) to planners on behalf of their client who is a qualified veterinary surgeon.

They are seeking permission for change of use from light industrial (car showroom) to a veterinary hospital.

Newmarket, Suffolk based ACD, who specialise in veterinary design and building management, said: ’This building offers a great opportunity for our clients.

’Currently there is no veterinary hospital on the island and a central location, such as this, makes it ideal for other veterinary practices to refer to, and so that the hospital can provide the widest coverage to all island residents.’

The firm adds that the proposal for CT equipment ’would be a first for the island’.

ACD say their client is a qualified veterinary surgeon with 16 years of experience, 11 of which have been with Strand Vets, a family-run, independent practice (in Port Erin).

The long-term plan would be to employ an additional three full time vets, four to six veterinary nurses, three to four client care co-ordinators/receptionists, one practice manager, two administration staff, one book-keeper and one overall client care manager.

ACD adds: ’Ideally the hospital would be open from 8am to 8pm. The vets would also like to offer out of hours services which the whole island could benefit from.’

In addition to their veterinary services the practice is exploring training opportunities for their student nurses and vets.Because the site was previously a car showroom there is said to be plenty of parking space.

In July we reported the 3,500 sq ft showroom and office was being offered for lease by family firm Mylchreests Motors Ltd. It was no longer required because of a consolidation of the business into adjacent premises on New Castletown Road, Douglas.

The main stipulation was that it cannot be used for car sales, service or repair.