Douglas Quayside Makeover Back On the Table – But With a Twist

After previously swearing off the Isle of Man, developer Kelman is back with a new, toned-down proposal for a major revamp of part of Douglas’s North Quay.

You might remember Kelman as the firm that had a long-running planning row over its plans to flatten the old Newson’s warehouse, a registered building, only to have its appeal rejected in 2022.

At the time, the company said it was done with investing in the island. But it seems they’ve had a change of heart… sort of.

This time around, Kelman has submitted a fresh application (25/90441/B) that completely avoids the registered Newson’s buildings – for now.

Instead, they’re proposing to knock down and rebuild numbers 22/23 and 25/26, while keeping and converting Merchant’s House at number 24 into part of the scheme.

The new plan includes eight flats and two bar/restaurants with outdoor terrace seating overlooking the quay – sounds alright, doesn’t it?

All the apartments will have harbour-facing living areas, and the developers say the design is ‘sympathetic’ and will actually boost the look of the conservation area.

Even though the buildings they want to demolish aren’t listed themselves, they still need permission (25/00442/CON) because the area is protected.

Kelman’s design statement points out that many of the buildings – including a former jewellery shop and outdoor gear store – have sat empty for years.

As for the Newson’s warehouse, it’s still in a sorry state.

A structural report says it’s in poor and unsafe condition, and Kelman admits there’s still no safe or practical way to bring it back to life – but they say they’re working on it.

They’ve also confirmed the Department for Enterprise has indicated potential funding through the Island Infrastructure Scheme, which could help things along.

Two meetings with planners have already taken place, and a contribution will be made in place of affordable housing within the scheme.