The first images of the proposed new blocks of flats for central Douglas have been released in documents submitted as part of the planning application (19/01222/B) for the site.

As we exclusively revealed in last week’s Manx Independent, Dandara, acting as the agent for Douglas Council, submitted plans for two apartment blocks to provide 66 residential flats with parking, landscaping and drainage infrastructure on Peel Road.

The flats would be built on the site of the former Quayle’s Garage on Peel Road, next to the Brown Bobby petrol station for the use of council tenants.

If approved, the plans would see two blocks of flats built over five floors, each combining a mixture of one- and two-bedroom flats with kitchens, bathrooms and living space, as well as associated parking.

The move could pave the way for the council’s Lord Street flats, and others in central Douglas, to be redeveloped and residents moved.

In its application documents, Dandara said: ’The existing Douglas Council blocks on Lord Street are approaching the end of their practical life span and the provision of new dwellings on Peel Road as proposed will give the council the option of relocating existing Lord Street tenants if required. The long-term future of the Lord Street site is yet to be determined.’

Dandara added that it would be using ’traditional’ materials to build the flats including ’Manx stone cladding’ to ensure they are in keeping with other buildings in the area.

The two blocks will be built with the first one adjacent to Peel Road, while the second will be at the back of that block, at the rear of the site in front of the trees which overlook the steam railway.

The chairman of the council’s housing committee, Councillor Claire Wells said: ’It is hoped that the site will be up and running within two years after construction has commenced.

’This development will kick-start the regeneration of the council’s lower Douglas flats, which are some of the oldest social housing properties on the island.’