A major new development in Douglas is welcomed by Douglas Council, but would benefit from some improvements.

That’s the view of the council’s environmental services Committee, which believe that the proposal for a seven-screen cinema, 80-bedroom hotel, four shops, 20 flats, restaurants, a multi-storey car park, and a new bus station on Lord Street are a positive move but could cause extra congestion in the narrow streets nearby.

The council’s environmental services committee chairman, Ritchie McNicholl, said access to the car park via Chapel Row, the narrow street between the Old Market Inn and the Manx Legion building, was a particular area of concern.

His concerns were echoed by fellow committee member, Councillor Andrew Bentley, himself an architect by profession.

’We made a number of observations in our response to the planning application,’ he said.

’The main point was concern about Chapel Row which is a narrow street that would be providing access to a 200-space car park.

’That one was the biggie, really.’

The council’s environmental services committee was asked for its observations on the plan as part of the planning process.

In its response it also cited concerns about using Chapel Row for goods vehicles servicing the development as well as providing disabled access.

Pedestrian space, cycle storage and siting of rubbish bins were also causes for concern.

Councillor Bentley said a section of the pavement running between the buildings’ north elevation and the streetside bus shelters was little more than one metre wide, which could be too little at busy times.

He said the original proposal was to include 46 bicycle storage spaces but only 11 were included on the plans, none in the car park.

The plans do include public toilets but the council suggested a facility for severely disabled people and their carers would be a great asset. Mr Bentley added this was something commonly included in some of the larger developments now in the UK, such as theme parks.

With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, the council has requested information about charging points in the car park.

Mr Bentley added: ’Don’t think we are trying to sink the scheme.

’Really it is just a few servicing issues.

’It’s all at an early stage and this is just part of the process.’

The council noted in its response that the development encroached onto a conservation area, including Chapel Row and Douglas quayside.

Extra information has also been requested on a waste strategy for the development, on the number and positioning of litter bins and the effect on the general cleanliness of the surrounding pavements, particularly from the pavement-side cafes.