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Appendices Separate
The Purpose of this statement is to support an application for change of use at 66-68 Parliament Street, Ramsey, Isle of Man, IM8 1AJ from a restaurant/tapas venue to a mixed-use community lounge, cafe, and wellbeing hub. The proposal, known as The Green Lounge CSC Ltd. will operate primarily as a food-led business with ancillary retail, takeaway, education and events. The proposal supports the objectives of the Island Plan and North and West Area Plan by promoting wellbeing-led regeneration in Ramsey town centre.
The Scheme combines elements of the following use classes under the Isle of Man Use Classes Order 2019:
Class 1.1 - Shops (retail of accessories, wellness goods, journals, and creative products)
Class 4.2(b) - Non-residential Education/Training (responsible-use education, workshops and creative therapy sessions with licensed practitioners.
This combination allows the property to operate as a safe, food-first community hub that supports health, wellbeing, and social inclusion while bringing a high-street unit back into sustainable economic use. This demonstrates a continuity of use, as the premises have previously been granted consent for retail and café/food uses, demonstrating the suitability for mixed commercial occupation.
Member verification and Consumption Pass processing will be conducted privately by authorised staff in a secure administrative area that is not visible from public areas of the premises. This ensures that all verification procedures are managed discreetly and in compliance with data protection standards, while preserving the food-led and community-focused character of the main public space.
The property is located on Parliament Street, Ramsey’s principal shopping street, within a mixed commercial area. The building was recently used as a restaurant under planning as a ‘wine and tapas’ bar and is generally in good condition, requiring only minor internal redecoration.
Ramsey town centre is a key retail and service hub for the north of the Island, with strong public transport links. The unit is street-level, step-free and well-suited for inclusive over 18's community use.
The Green Lounge will function as a food-led community lounge combining cafe, retail, and education elements within the following use classes:
Healthy plates, sharing platters, small plates with locally produced ingredients. Alcohol-free cocktails, functional beverages, milkshakes and coffee service. Calm, sociable seated environment.
Food and non-alcoholic drinks available for collection. Takeaway hours limited to the same as dine-in (10am -10/11pm) No late-night fast-food model, strictly ancillary to the cafe use.
Sale of specialist (necessary for legal compliance) devices, accessories and wellness goods not otherwise available on-island. Retail of journals, creative products, branded merchandise, and herbal wellness items. Retail area located within the main bar servery, forming part of the open cafe space.
Therapeutic and educational sessions covering wellness literacy, mindfulness, and creative workshops. Private hire for small-group educational use under supervision of trained practitioners. Low impact evening wellbeing events (e.g talks and harm-reduction sessions).
Proposed hours of operation: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 – 22:00 (23:00 on occassion for events) Including Bank Holidays where applicable, excluding Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Front room: cafe/bar servery and retail wall, with casual seating (sofa and tables) Central: Existing kitchen, retained for food preparation. Rear room: Quieter lounge space with natural ventilation from existing windows. Back Storage room: Dishwasher area. Back Small room: Office.
Facilities: Accessible WC provided. Only the ground floor is included in this application. internal works will be limited to redecoration. External Works will be minimal:
Façade to be painted white, retaining the black fascia theme
Replacement fascia sign, black background as present now with The Green Lounge Branding with similar scale and style. (Non-illuminated, black with white lettering.
Windows framed in painted designs but not obscured.
Future shutter installation at the front of the property to be subject to a separate application.
The Green Lounge CSC Ltd delivers multiple benefits to not just Ramsey and the North but to the whole Island:
Health and Wellbeing: Healthy food and alcohol-free options provide a safe alternative to alcohol-led venues.
Accessibility: Step-free entry, accessible WC, and long-term plan to install and adult changing facility within our disabled toilet that would serve all Adults within the community.
Economic Contribution: Creates four jobs at launch, supports local suppliers, and increase highstreet footfall. Innovation: First food-led, education and wellbeing hub on the Island, pioneering responsible cannabis industry practice. Evening Economy Diversification: Extends Ramsey’s offer with a calm. food-driven evening venue.
Crime risk Mitigation: By normalising education and offering safe alternatives, the project reduces reliance on unregulated markets. All members of the public with legal CBPM’s will require to sign up to our Consumption pass system which allows us to verify compliance before use.
CBPM Patient base: As of August 2024, over 650 patients were registered under the Island’s CBPM scheme, with an average of 335 prescriptions dispensed monthly. This demonstrates a real, growing cohort in need of informed and structured wellbeing support, underlining the Green Lounge’s role as a safe, educational environment that promotes responsible therapeutic use.
Community Engagement and Digital Reach: Since early 2023, The Green Lounge Csc Ltd has build a strong public following across its social and digital platforms,
The website has reached over 2,965 visits and 2,500 unique visitors in the past year, with over 5,900 page views and a 60.7% engagement rate, showing sustained interest and return traffic.
The project’s social media presence has achieve consistent engagement across Isle of Man audiences, with Facebook and Instagram posts regularly reaching 1,000 - 2,000 local users per post and generating ongoing discussions around wellness, responsible use and community connect. In total we have reached over 80,000 people on Facebook.
Over half of online followers identify as residents of the north of the Island, confirming local relevance and viability for a Ramsey-based premises.
This measurable digital footprint demonstrates strong awareness, transparency, and readiness for implementation prior to physical opening.
Cannabis Prevalence: The 2022 Isle of Man Substance Use Servery found around 31% of adults had used cannabis at some stage, underlining the importance of safe harm-reduction messaging. Harm-education research: Liverpool John Moores University’s MedCan project and related work demonstrate patient benefit from literacy, education, and structured responsible-use support.
Cannabis and Wellness Education Evidence: The 2022 Isle of Man Substance Use Survey found that approximately 31% of adults had used cannabis at some stage underlining the importance of harm-reduction messaging and literacy initiatives. Research by Liverpool John Moores University show that structured community education and verified access models improve safety outcomes and reduce reliance on unregulated markets.
By integrating education events, verified access systems, and wellbeing programming, The Green Lounge advances these public health objectives and provides a safe, regulated alternative for patients and wellness consumers alike.
Flood Risk: A flood risk assessment has already been completed and is submitted with this application. Noise: No amplified late-night music, only low-noise workshops and community events. Transport: Centrally located with strong public transport; signage will discourage driving when impaired. Takeaway Controls: Limited to cafe hours only, no late-night trade/waste management and odour controls in place. Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible, with long-term commitment to adult changing provision.
Ventilation and Air Quality: A discreet window-mounted carbon-filter extractor fan fill be installed in the rear lounge to ensure effective air circulation and odour control. The system, will us a low-noise 100mm extractor with an activated carbon pre-filter and timer control, exhausting directly to atmosphere through the upper window panel without altering the building facade. This setup meets DEFA food premises guidance for “suitable and sufficient” ventilation and will be maintained through a scheduled filter-clean/change log. Air quality will be further support by a compact HEPA air purifier and air-purifying plants to improve indoor comfort and wellbeing. As only non-combustible medicinal vaporising will occur, emissions are minimal, with no smoke or tar. Research shows that vaporization produces significantly fewer airborne particulates and odorous compounds than smoking, ensuring no adverse impact on neighbours or public amenity. Independent evidence, including UK Government research confirms that vaporization produces approximately 95% fewer airborne toxins and odorous compound than smoking. ensuring no measurable impact on local air quality or amenity.
External Appearance: Minimal change, sympathetic to the street scene; signage similar to what is currently present.
The Applicant, Maria Bostock, is the founder and managing director of The Green Lounge. She brings a multidisciplinary background in herbal medicine, cannabis science, and community wellbeing that directly underpins the educations and health-focused objectives of the project.
Maria holds the following relevant qualifications and accreditations:
Master of Cannabis (CTU - Cannabis Training University) - advanced professional training in cannabis pharmacology, patient care, cultivation, compliance, and global industry regulation.
Diploma in Medicinal Cannabis and CBD Oil - Centre of Excellence - Covering endocannabinoid science, product safety, extraction methods, and responsible use education.
Diploma in Mental Health - Allison Training - providing insight into the psychological and social dimensions of wellbeing, recovery, and substance use.
Master Herbalism Diploma - Centre of Excellence - encompassing plant chemistry, phytotherapy, and safe integration of herbal and dietary therapies.
Cannabis in the Workplace Certification - Professional awareness training addressing employer responsibilities, safety, and policy considerations.
These qualifications demonstrate a strong foundation in both the scientific and social aspects of plantbased wellbeing, which inform the development of The Green Lounge’s food offerings, education sessions, and harm-reduction initiatives. Her combined expertise in herbal pharmacology, public health, and small-business management ensures that The Green Lounge will be operated to the highest standards of safety, compliance, and community value.
The applicant has actively engaged with a range of local and governmental stakeholders to ensure the developments of The Green Lounge aligns with community values, safety standards, and public health priorities. Consultation has included informal discussions with neighbouring residents and the adjoining dental practice, both of whom expressed no objection to the proposal via the landlord.
From the outset, the applicant has worked closely with relevant Isle of Man authorities to ensure the proposal for The Green Lounge meets or exceeds all required regulatory standards. The project has been developed transparently and collaboratively with the following authorities:
Excerpt from Superintendent Daniel Rotchell - IoM Constabulary: “Thank you for the update, and it is really pleasing to see the amendments as we discussed”
Where the Constabulary remains formally neutral - as is standard for non-licensable uses - they have acknowledged the applicant’s proactive approach, appreciated the operational amendments implemented following consultation, and expressed no objections to the proposed business model.
Excerpt from correspondence with Mr Kristian Cowin - DEFA: “Registration is required before opening, ”
(in context this response followed the applicant’s detailed enquired explaining that the business will operate as a cafe and wellness lounge service food and non-alcoholic beverages, while also retailing wellness-related products including CBD- based items and accessories for CBPM Patients. No additional licensing or special conditions are required beyond normal standard food
business obligations.
All have expressed support for the trading model and methods of operation. Supporting letters from patients and community members will be provided as appendices. The applicant has developed a Consumption Pass system which restricts cannabis related activity to verified adults with prescriptions, fully complying with Isle of Man legislation.
The Applicant’s proactive engagement with senior representatives from The Isle of Man authorities, demonstrates a consistent commitment to transparency, collaboration, and public accountability. Each department has been fully debriefed on The Green Lounge’s aims, operational safeguards, and community health objectives.
Engagement has also extended to local medical cannabis clinics and prescribing partners, to ensure the lounge’s design and policies align with patient wellbeing and responsible therapeutic use. Beyond compliance, the business intends to foster positive community relationships by partnering with local retailers and service providers, offering member discounts and cross-promotional opportunities designed to benefit the wider Ramsey economy.
The Proposal aligns strongly with both the Island Plan 2021-2026 and the emerging North and West Area Plan, supporting their shared objectives for sustainable development, community wellbeing, and town-centre regeneration.
The Island Plan prioritises community health, inclusive enterprise, and the revitalisation of town centres. The Green Lounge directly contributes to these aims by bringing an underused property in Ramsey back into full use, creating employment, and providing a safe, alcohol-alternative environment focused on wellbeing and education.
The proposal supports the Island Plan’s “Healthy Island” theme, particularly in promoting mental health awareness, accessibility, and active lifestyle through its menu, workshops and inclusive design.
The business also contributes to the “Vibrant Economy” pillar, encouraging local spending, sustainable entrepreneurship, and diversification of the evening economy in Ramsey.
The North and West Plan seeks to strengthen town centres, protect existing retail cores, and encourage mixed-use developments that support community vitality. The Green Lounge achieves this by integrating food, retail, and community education within a single high-street premises, ensuring regular footfall and social activation throughout the day and evening.
The project aligns with the Plan’s emphasis on accessibility and inclusion, as the premises are fully wheelchair-accessible and committed to installing and adult changing facility to serve the wider public.
By focusing on health, education, and social responsibility, the proposal contributes positively to the Plan’s vision for Ramsey as a thriving, inclusive regional centre that offers more than conventional retail or dining experiences.
Together. these policy alignments demonstrate that The Green Lounge is not only consistent with but actively advances the Island’s strategic planning goals for wellbeing, sustainability, and economic resilience.
The applicant has proactively engaged with a range of local and governmental stakeholders to ensure The Green Lounge integrates harmoniously into the community. Informal approval and positive feedback have been received from neighbouring residents and the adjoining dental practice at the back entrance via the landlord. Waste management has been confirmed with Ramsey Town Commissioners, with all general waste disposed of in accordance with their policies via the rear service area. The applicant has also liaised with local businesses to establish mutual benefits, including discount partnerships for members that will help strengthen the local economy. Additional engagement has taken place with the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service to ensure full compliance with fire safety requirements, and with local medical cannabis clinics and prescribing partners to ensure the lounge’s environment and operational model align with patient wellbeing and responsible therapeutic use.
The Application welcomes the inclusions of reasonable planning conditions to ensure the ongoing management of ventilation, hours of operation and waste disposal. The Green Lounge Csc Ltd is committed to operating transparently and in full compliance with any conditions deems appropriate by the planning committee or building control.
Comprehensive consultation has been undertaken, ensuring the proposal aligns fully with the public safety, health, and regulatory frameworks. The aforementioned agencies have all been informed of the operational model and expressed confidence in it responsible approach.
Through its careful design, harm-reduction focus, and food-first model, The Green Lounge represents a positive, pioneering development for Ramsey and for the Isle of Man’s evolving wellbeing and cannabis sector. It will be operated to the highest standards, setting a benchmark for responsible innovation within the Island’s hospitality and community landscape.
For these reasons, the applicant respectfully requests that planning permission be granted.
csc ltd
To support this application, the following appendices have been provided. These contain relevant correspondence, technical information, and community evidence referenced throughout this statement. They are included to provide transparency, confirm compliance with relevant regulations, and demonstrate stakeholder consultation with key government departments, public health representatives, and local community members.
Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Department of Home Affairs
Treasury
Isle of Man Constabulary
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