Planning approval in principle is being sought (21/01217/A) for the building of 10 town houses in Ramsey.

They would be situated on Bircham Avenue, just 500 yards down from Shoprite.

Existing buildings on the site, including the houses Manninagh and Dalveen, would be demolished in order to be replaced with the smaller townhouses with garages.

The individual behind the planning application notes that Manninagh is occupied, but Dalveen is not habitable despite having previously been converted into two flats.

There is also a warehouse/workshop building which was previously used for a business.

In an accompanying planning statement, the situation is described where the widowed owner of the site no longer needs a property of that size, and that it would not be worth doing the work that is needed on the property and so the option of rebuilding the area was considered.

Each of the proposed townhouses would have seven bedrooms (with individual properties having two each), and the bungalow three.

The statement said: ’This small development covers a number of requirements for buyers, including garages, off road parking and small communal areas.

’It would be perfect for first-time buyers or someone who wanted to downsize.

’There is also the potential for a mixture of flats and maisonettes to suit everyone.

This initial planning [application] in principle is to outline the potential for the area’.

It concluded: ’There are very few first-time buyers’ or smaller properties in the north with access to amenities that this area offers.’

More than 17 people could live in the homes, spread across three properties.

If approval is granted in principle, architects would be employed to draw up more detailed plans.