A 10-pin bowling alley could open on an Onchan farm if government planners approve the application.

Ballakaighen Farm, on the main road between Onchan and Baldrine, is ’a former agricultural small holding’ which has developed into a family entertainment and leisure activity centre.

In the past few years, owner Andrew Clague has created Laserblast, the Fun Barn and in the late summer months a Maize Maze, and now he wants to create a bowling alley on the site.

Best use

The planning application (18/00613/B) states how since an application for a trampoline park was rejected last year, Mr Clague has been considering the best use for the space available and ’be most beneficial to the local community and his business’.

It continues: ’Mr Clague’s inquiries have concluded that since the closure some years ago of the 10-pin bowling facility at the Castle Mona in Douglas, no new venue has appeared as a replacement for this popular leisure acitivity.’

The Castle Mona closed in 2006 and since then, the only bowling alley in the island has been the Pepsi Max Bowl in Ramsey, which opened in 2011.

Mr Clague is seeking to increase the footprint of the building, which he intends to build a six-lane bowling alley by 125 square metres with the alley on the upper floor.

If approved, the building would also include a ground level cafe with two small party rooms which could be made into one to provide for larger functions.

In the bid it says the facilities will be served by the existing car parking and an extension to allow for 20 extra ’overflow’ spaces and the bus stop at the top of the entrance provides ease of public access.