Objectors to a proposal to raise the height of the Laxey seawall will stage a protest on the village seafront this weekend.

The protesters are planning their demonstration for 11am on Sunday.

Lonan resident Julie Pinson said: ’People recognise that we have to have something done but they want it to go back to the drawing board with a proper consultation.

Mrs Pinson said she was speaking as an individual and as a seafront business owner, rather than as a commissioner.

Because she runs the seafront cafe, she said she was precluded from taking part in the debates in the commissioners’ meetings.

’I think it’s important to be able to put the other side and I feel the views of some of the people in Laxey are being ignored,’ she said.

Mrs Pinson said she had heard villagers’ views being dismissed because ’they didn’t understand,’ which she said was patronising.

Plans have been drawn up to raise the Laxey seawall to 1.2 metres at the harbour end.

The raised section would taper downwards, extending as far as the slipway towards the southern end of the promenade and a raised pavement starting at the harbour end would allow pedestrians to catch a glimpse of the sea as they looked over the wall.

The plans also include a wall running along Tent Road at the side of the harbour and a flood gate where Tent Road meets the seafront parking area. Many residents have raised concerns about the loss of the view from the seafront, pointing out that a raised pavement does not benefit visitors who wish to remain sitting in their cars, or those who may be too old or frail to get out.

Last week commissioners agreed to support the scheme, despite concerns from many villagers, subject to suitable provisions being made over disabled access, harbour access and parking.

The Department of Infrastructure has said Garff Commissioners would have the final say on whether the sea wall plan goes ahead.

A formal planning application was expected to emerge soon following the local authority’s backing.