A planning application has been submitted for a residential care home to replace Cummal Mooar.

The proposal (21/01569/B) would see the facility built on the Cooil ny Marrey site on Waterloo Road in Ramsey, behind the current Cummal Mooar building on Queen’s Promenade.

This is as a result of a land-swap agreement between Manx Care and the Ramsey and Northern Districts Housing Committee.

Manx Care said the project ’wouldn’t have been possible’ without the committee, especially given the ’challenge of finding a location for a new building’ or attempting to refurbish the current facility without extensive disruption to its residents.

Subject to planning approval, the land-swap would see the existing Cooil ny Marrey building demolished. Residents of the facility have been moved to the housing authority’s new site, Mayfield, on May Hill in Ramsey, which opened in November.

The housing authority would then have possession of the current Cummal Mooar site.

The existing Cummal Mooar facility will remain fully operational throughout the building phase if this planning application is given approval.

Health and Social Care Minister and Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper said: ’The current Cummal Mooar facility and its staff have played an incredibly important part in the lives of residents, their families and our community for more than 40 years and I’m very happy to see plans coming forward to upgrade the facility and provide a state-of-the-art experience for current and future staff and residents.’

investing

Sally Shaw, Manx Care’s executive director of social care, added:’The planning application to build a replacement for Cummal Mooar highlights how we’re investing resources in the appropriate areas to create residential properties that are future-proofed to meet the ongoing care needs of our ageing population, whilst creating a safe and comfortable living experience for them.’

Cummal Mooar is one of three resource centres run by Manx Care across the Isle of Man providing residential care for older people.

The existing site was opened in 1981, with its residents having recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.

The Department of Health and Social Care received approval to construct a modern 45-ensuite bed replacement facility which, subject to planning approval, will be fully compliant with all of the modern standards for care homes, and will also be designed to accommodate any future alterations as requirements change.

It is currently estimated that the build would cost around £12.75 million to complete.

Chair of the Ramsey and Northern Districts Housing Committee Marinda Fargher said: ’We are delighted to be working in collaboration with Manx Care and Isle of Man Government on the proposed development of the Cooil ny Marrey site and are excited that they are now in a position to be able to submit the planning application following a number of delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

’Cummal Mooar is a landmark residential care facility in Ramsey which has supported many locals and their families for such a long time - we hope this is able to continue in a new, state-of-the-art, modern complex that will serve their needs for generations to come.’