Planning Statement Introduction

01 Application Details

Town Square, Douglas

Application for Full Planning Approval

The Tevir Group • Applicant

Homcasite Thomas Ltd • Agent

02.1 Introduction

The Douglas Town Square site sits within the wider Villiers development to the corner of the Promenade and Regent Street. The square is designated as public open space. This application proposes to retain this existing use and seeks to tidy the site, providing a suitable space for events and initiatives. One such proposed event is the Wallabies Gene Wild initiative (described below).

02.2 Planning Context

The Town Square sits within the Douglas Promenades Conservation Area. The site has been subject to numerous planning applications. The most relevant application is for phases 2+ 3 of the Villiers site, as the Square constitutes part of the overall Villiers development.

02.3 Proposals

It is proposed that the existing public open space is enhanced by improving the appearance of the square by:

• Over-dedging the existing hoardings, facing into the square, with black stained vertical timber boards.
• Creating bin store enclosures, clad in the same vertical timber boards to tidy and improve the entry points into the square from Victoria Street and Duke Street.
• Repairing and repositioning existing timber concrete benches, creating groups of seating.
• Conversion of the existing water feature to a planted bed and seating.
• The existing paving and lighting will be retained and cleaned.
• The existing gravel border between the paving and hoarding line will be planted up to provide a green edge to the square.

These measures would allow the public open space to be used for public events and initiatives, such as the proposed Wallabies Gene Wild event. It is proposed that one of the Wallaby statues is displayed in the square during the event accompanied by display boards with information about the initiative.

02.4 Wallabies Gone Wild

Wallabies Gene Wild is a mass participation art event organised by Hospice Isle of Man and Wild in Art that will be held in the Isle of Man over 12 weeks from May 24th to mid-September 2019. By a series of 25 wallaby sculptures, each featuring a unique design by an artist, will be laid out across the Isle of Man in the form of a trail.

The event aims to deliver a number of objectives, ultimately generating much-needed funds for Hospice Isle of Man when the wallabies are auctioned off at the conclusion of the event. These objective include:

• Provide a free and engaging activity that appeals to all and creates excitement within the community.
• Attract visitors to the island.
• Increase footfall and spend across the island amongst visitors and residents.
• Create a platform for Hospice Isle of Man to work with local schools to deliver an education programme that encourages compassion and builds resilience within our community.
• Provide an opportunity for businesses, their employees, and customers to engage with schools, artists, and the public in a unique way.

Wild in Art is one of the leading creative producers of mass-appeal public art events that bring together business and creative sectors with schools and local communities through the creation of city-wide trails of uniquely painted sculptures.

The Tevir Group and its principal have been very active supporters of Hospice Isle of Man and saw participation in the event as aligning perfectly with its own aims and values, which include a commitment to making a positive community and economic impacts for the Isle of Man. It has also offered space on its own property in the Town Square part of the Villiers site, as one of the wallaby sculpture locations and is keen to explore other ways in which the event can help achieve its objectives, for the ultimate benefit of Hospice Isle of Man and the broader Isle of Man community.

(refer to 03 Existing Site Plan for photograph locations)