An application (20/01027/B) by the Department of Infrastructure would see fencing erected around the upper levels of the Chester Street car park.

The DoI recently took over the management of the car park from Douglas Borough Council, with the local authority saying it couldn’t afford to continue to operate it at a substantial loss.

In its application, the DoI said the changes are ’in accordance with the Public Health England Prevention of Suicide in Public Places and if approved will help increase the safety of the public on the top two levels of Chester Street Car Park’.

It added that the mesh fencing will be 2.5m high including a cranked fence topping to prevent anyone climbing it and a gap underneath the fencing to allow for the debris to be cleared away.

When the council was running the car park, it considered a report following concerns raised by members of the public with fencing on the top levels after the death of a man in December 2019.

However, the council agenda said: ’Council officers had subsequently inspected the fencing, it was noted that as the current fencing exceeds the building regulation requirement, no further action was taken’.

It continued that the council was planning to install a Samaritans style sign at a cost of £60 for a one-off design fee for an A3 sign. However, it was noted that the DoI was intending to install the fencing on the top levels by 2.5m.

As the owners of the site, the councillors had planned to ask the DoI to pay for the signs.

In its role as a planning consultant, Douglas Council has not raised any objections to the DoI’s proposals for the car park.