Plans to increase the height of the seawall along Douglas seafront have been rejected by planners.

The Department of Infrastructure submitted a bid (18/00956/B) to construct the 507m-length wall to reduce wave overtopping.

However, planners have rejected the application, citing ’a lack of information, justification and consideration of key issues’.

In a rejection notice, planners said: ’There is insufficient information in relation to the potential impact of the proposal on the conservation area. There is no environmental impact assessment (contrary to strategic plan environment policy 24);

’’There is no formal flood risk assessment (contrary to strategic plan environment policy 10) - including a lack of information as to how water resulting from coastal overtopping would return to the sea.

’And there is insufficient consideration as to loss of public views of the sea by people who are unable to see over the wall (contrary to strategic plan general policy 2(e)).’

The wall was planned to be 1.2m high and would be built on top of the existing sea wall, beginning at the war memorial and running to opposite the Empress Hotel on Central Promenade.

Last month, Douglas Council voted to object to the application, despite support for the wall from council leader David Christian.

At the time the reasons given to planners included the proposal to close off the Broadway slipway, which councillors said would prevent access for emergency vehicles. The council also highlighted a lack of thought given to the life belts, no provision being made for how disabled people would be able to see over the wall and the wall not being aesthetically pleasing.

A DoI spokesman said: ’The department is working with planners to address concerns identified by the planning committee and will be submitting a revised application in due course.’