Approval has been granted for a hover kart racing track at the Balthane Industrial Estate in Ballasalla.

Stephen Woodward and his business partner James Clucas had submitted the application (19/00018/B) to convert an empty unit in the estate to house hover kart racing.

Speaking to the Manx Independent, Mr Woodward said: ’We are so happy that planning has been granted and we would like to thank everyone involved that has supported us so far.

’Work is likely to start in the next few days with an opening date at the end of April beginning of May.’

Mr Woodward had previously said that since the application was submitted, he had been inundated with requests for more information, largely from parents at his children’s school looking for new ideas for parties.

Aside from providing for children’s parties, the pair believe the plan would have a wider community benefit, saying that giving children in the south something different to do would hopefully keep some from hanging about on the streets in the evenings.

And the track will be available for adults too, with the pair wanting to be able to host hen-dos and stag parties.

Mr Woodward said that a key element of Hover Kart City was the design of the karts, which were not only safe but accessible for disabled residents.

He said: ’I’ve been to parties where there is a disabled parent or brother/sister and it restricts the amount they can get involved but also puts into the mind of kids playing that they have to play a bit differently too.So the hover karts will be totally accessible. We’d love to be able to provide that opportunity for kids to race their friends or parents when sometimes they can’t get as involved as others can.’

For more information, Mr Woodward and Mr Clucas can be contacted either by email on [email protected] or by searching Hover Kart City IOM on Facebook.