22-05-2025
Douglas residents oppose plan for compound on playing fields
A group of residents are campaigning against plans for a construction compound on playing fields in the Isle of Man capital. The proposals, submitted by Douglas Council, would see the land on Ballanard Road temporarily used as a compound for the refurbishment of social residents of Ballanard Road and Manor Hotel Road have argued it should remain as a valued community them, Carla Dione said it would affect residents' day-to-day living, create noise and light pollution and "devalue" houses in the area.
Local MHK Ann Corlett said she could understand the concerns and would "listen" to the residents and "help them through the process".The compound would work with the storage of materials and their movement around the Willaston estate alongside the delivery and collection of skips for disposal of building debris, the council council sent a letter, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, to households on Ballanard Road and Manor Hotel Road while other properties adjoining the site were not notified.
'Significant distress'
It does not include timelines, a map or details about the duration of the the letter does say the site will be "temporary" and will be made as "inconspicuous as possible".It also confirmed the site will be needed for "several years" but the field would be "fully reinstated" once the development is complete and could include some "enhancements" in the future, and states the playing field is the "only logical area" after a meeting held by resident on Tuesday night, Michael Booth said the proposals had caused himself and nearby neighbours "a significant amount of distress" . He said he expected that the project, if approved, would turn their lives into a "living nightmare for many years to come".The recreational area was "used daily by so many", which included families, children playing, walkers, runners, cyclists, commuters, and was home to a "vast array of wildlife including nesting birds and bats", he said. There were other more suitable locations in and around the Willaston estate, he said, but "we don't believe that these are being seriously considered by the council".Douglas Council has been contacted for a comment.
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