Bushy’s Plan Recommended for Approval

A planning officer has recommended that Bushy’s should be given the green light for its move to Castletown.

The final decision will be made by the planning committee on Monday.

The company is proposing a re-development of the Commissioners Yard on Milner Terrace.

Included in the plans are a brewery and tap room, seating for 90 covers internally across two floors and 90 outdoor and full disabled access across the brewery, both floors of the taproom and outdoor dining terrace.

Bushy’s announced in 2022 that it planned to leave Santon and head to the island’s ancient capital, with Castletown Town Commissioners saying it intended to sell the land and associated buildings to the brewer for £625,000, this deal has yet to be completed.

There has been some objection to the plans from nearby residents who are concerned about noise from patrons, an increase in traffic and the issues that could bring, including pollution and safety and people being unable to park on the site parking on nearby roads impacting residents’ ability to park outside their own homes.

However, others have supported the proposals, citing the town previously having been home to a brewery and the potential it has to increase the social life in the town.

In their report, the planning officer said that many of the operation issues arising ‘can be controlled via a licensing application’.

They added: ‘Issues such as noise and fumes from the Brewery operation on the site are considered unlikely to arise owing to the modern nature of the equipment and brewing process.

‘It is considered that there would be sufficient vehicle and cycle parking provision made on site and in the vicinity of the site for customers, staff, and neighbours through the conditioning of a suitable parking management plan.’