A bid for an industrial unit to be knocked down and a temporary car park to be created in its place has been approved.

Quay Properties Limited’s application (18/00013/B) is for the development at 25 South Quay, in Douglas, where Quayside Tyre and Service Centre was based until March.

The car park, with 29 spaces, can be in place for four years.

Planners approved the bid, saying: ’The application is contrary to the land use designation within the Douglas Local Plan and the Council of Ministers have indicated that temporary car parking should not normally be supported.

’However, the application has been approved taking account of the currentsituation in relation to the emerginc Area Plan and other large development schemes which may result in a short-term loss of car parking in other parts of Douglas.’

The site cannot be used as a car park until it is fully surfaced and with lighting and fencing installed.

Details of a rockfall fence to protect the site from the cliff behind the site and flood warning and evacuation measures in relation to the harbour need to be approved by planners.

In the bid, Cornerstone Architects said the car park ’would benefit the wider economy, providing convenient off-street parking for the working professionals in the area.’

The highways division of the Department of Infrastructure asked for a condition that a traffic barrier is not installed.