A large section of Douglas’s high street could be demolished and rebuilt in a major renovation scheme.

The planning application (18/00641/B) would see 40 to 52 Duke Street demolished and rebuilt to provide retail, office and residential space.

The applicant is Duke Street Commercial Ltd, working with Thomas Hunter Architects (THA) of Kilmarnock in Scotland.

In the application, THA says: ’The existing building located on the site will be demolished, as it appears tired and neglected proving unfeasible to sustain and repair.

’Fabric and condition surveys show a property that requires extensive roof works, services upgrading and general extensive repairs.’

The architects added that it intends to create a modern building that is sympathetic to the traditional surroundings.

The building which will be demolished is from Fentons, the butcher’s shop at 42, through to the former KFC store, which is currently closed.

What is proposed for its replacement is a six-floor building that will include 11 flats and a seventh floor which will be a roof garden.

Under the plans, there would be three single-bed, seven two-bed and one three-bed flats for the development with all flats including an en-suite bathroom and some of the properties also include a balcony.

Douglas Council’s planning committee has given its support, in principle, for the plans, but made some recommendations.

These included that the ground floor office space be used for retail, ’further measures be considered which could reduce the building’s mass’ and the offices within the building be supplied with off street parking.

Parking was also a concern for the Department of Infrastructure’s highway division, which pointed out there was a requirement for 19 spaces under current residential guidelines.

Planning permission is not given by local authorities but by the government’s planning committee.

The DoI comment says: ’The proposed basement floor plan shows that there would be 10 car parking spaces which is a shortfall of nine spaces.

’The town centre location with public car parks and good public transport links allows for a reduction in the parking standards although ideally there would be one allocated car parking space per apartment.’

THA added that the provision for car spaces included one space per flat and would be access by a car lift from Villiers Square.

However, there is a twist in this planning application, there is another one currently under consideration in the same building.

Application (18/01027/C) is seeking to change 44 Duke Street from a retail unit into a wine bar.

The applicant for this application is SHG Wine and Bistro Ltd, which is listed a the tenant from Duke Street Commercial Ltd.

And both companies have used the same architect, THA of Kilmarnock.