Planners have given the green light to plans that will transform the face of Douglas town centre forever.

As we revealed earlier this year, a company called Duke Street Commercial Ltd, working with Thomas Hunter Architects of Kilmarnock in Scotland, applied (18/00641/B) to demolish 42-50 Duke Street and replace it with a taller building comprising of shops and 11 flats.

The section due to be demolished runs from the former KFC store to the butchers Fentons at 42 and would see it replaced by a six-storey building with a roof garden.

The applicant company’s own plans have now been published.

They show that the neighbouring buildings are four storeys at their highest.

In its application, DSC said: ’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.’

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.

Throughout the planning process, there had been several objections raised to the plans, most of which focused on the height of the building, its mass, inadequate parking provision and a lack of detail in the planning regarding several details.

The Natural History and Antiquarian Society also raised concerns over the loss of some of the capital’s history.

Pauline Stewart of NHAS said: ’The existing size contains some of the oldest remaining buildings in this part of Douglas.

’The basement contains, or did at the last time members of the society were able to access it, cobbled floors.’

Concerns were also raised by the Tevir Group, which owns the adjacent Villiers Square.

The group objected to the development saying it would have a negative impact upon its own land and any plans it may have to develop it and said the plans ’were not in keeping’ with the surrounding area.

However, despite these objections, approval has been granted in the past week, with planners saying it is dependent on several conditions.

Some of the conditions are fairly common, such as the work has to begin within four years and further detail being provided on materials being used.

But, planners have also said that no work can begin until the underground parking, turning area and car lift have been approved and there must be 11 spaces, one for each flat, plus space for a bicycle store.

And planners have stipulated that the building cannot be occupied until a dedicated bin storage area has been established to ensure there is sufficient space to accommodate the shops’ and flats’ rubbish.

Examiner comment, p18