We Give up

The owners of the former Newsons Building have admitted defeat in their attempts to bring it back into use.

Kelman Limited had sought to develop 22-28 on North Quay in Douglas into ten apartments and three bar/restaurant units.

Owned by Chris Kelly, the company has made repeated attempts to demolish and replace the registered building, only to see its efforts blocked by the planning committee.

Those rejections, including one after appeal, came despite the support from the DfE on economic grounds.

A spokesperson for Kelman said: ‘It’s such a shame – this development could have brought so much to the North Quay area and the City of Douglas.

‘In addition to the £8m construction opportunity, which would have benefitted companies island-wide, we wanted to create a pleasant retail, commercial and residential environment for the city.

‘Our proposed plan appeared to be exactly what the people of Douglas wanted, as we had more than 500 residents write to us, supporting our project. It also appeared to fit the Island Economic Strategy [2022 – 2032], but the planning legislation, as it stands, is unable to deliver the Government’s vision.

‘And so, after five years of trying and a great deal of expense, we’ve decided to give up and sell the properties.  Unless or until the planning legislation is changed to facilitate investment, we can no longer invest in the island.’

While the company has said it will sell the building which it had previously described as being in ‘danger of imminent collapse’, it will remain liable for maintaining its condition due to it being on the registered building list until it can sell it.