Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot has overturned a planning decision to reject a government proposal for a new sea wall in Douglas.

Mr Boot has considered the report by planning inspector Brian Sims and concurred with his recommendation to overturn the planning committee’s rejection.

The application (19/00755/B) was submitted by the Department of Infrastructure for 507m long and 1.2m high wall from the war memorial along the prom in a north direction up to the area of the Empress Hotel.

In Mr Sim’s report, it outlines that ’there is an implied intention to extend the height and length of the wall in the future’.

This potential increase in length, along the entirety of the promenade, would require a separate application.

When the application was considered by the planning committee, it was rejected.

The committee ’was not satisfied that the permanent and detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area and on the public view of the sea would be outweighted by the benefit of the proposed wall in relation to reducing the risk of flooding’.

However the inspector rejected this and noted the inclusion of viewing platforms to allow children and those in wheelchairs to view over the wall.

He also noted that from a distance, the height of the wall would not impede on the views of the sea.

Mr Sims said: ’Overall, the proposed 507m length of 1.2m high wall would preserve the character and appearance of the Douglas Promenades conservation area but diminish to some extent public views of the sea.

’However, the development would provide substantial improvement to sea defence which is of significant benefit to the safe public use of the promenade and horse tram service and this to the local economy.’

He added that the benefits of lowering the flood risk on that section of the promenade ’definitely outweigh’ the issue of sea views.