A planning officer is recommending that the island’s planning committee approve plans to regenerate an area of Peel.

The committee receives reports on all applications it is asked to vote on at its public meetings which are usually held twice a month.

Plans for the regeneration of Michael Street and Atholl Place were first unveiled by the Department of Infrastructure in May and have been supported by the local authority and Peel Heritage Trust.

gardens

The proposals include the reconfiguration of the highway and footways with granite paving and the creation of two rain gardens in Atholl Place.

Instead of the traditional way of dealing with rain water, these gardens will intercept the run-off water, providing a more sustainable drainage system, new habitats for wildlife and will visually enhance the town centre.

An agreement with Manx Blind Welfare will see tactile strips installed to assist the visually impaired navigate through the area.

In her report, planner Sarah Corlett has recommended the planning committee, which is due to meet on Monday, approve the scheme as it would ’have a beneficial impact on the character of the streets in question and would enhance the character of the Conservation Area’.

She has also recommended that prior to the use of any new kerb stones in Atholl Place, ’further details including material, section and profile of this must be approved by the department and the development must be undertaken in accordance with these details’.

Derek Sewell, clerk to Peel Town Commissioners, has written to the planners saying the local authority, traders and the public were ’supportive of the new design for Atholl Place which involves the widening of the narrow footways and providing a raised table at the junction of Atholl Place, Atholl Street, Derby Road and Christian Street’.

However he added: ’The commissioners, traders and public were less supportive of the Atholl Place water gardens and the stone paving materials selected. These gardens were located at the side of the existing carriageway and removing short stay car parking including a disabled bay directly outside the chemist.

’This reduction in the limited number of short stay and disabled parking will be to the economic detriment of this part of the historic town centre which has limited opportunity to provide convenient short stay and disabled parking to serve the type of retail premises which currently exist around Atholl Place.’

While the commissioners also supported the plans for Michael Street, they shared concerns over the loss of sandstone materials which are a staple of Peel.