The Central Douglas Masterplan should provide a vision for the future, a framework to spur development and encourage investors and future economic success, according to politicians who lent their overwhelming endorsement to the document.
In fact Onchan MHK David Quirk was a lone voice amid the otherwise unanimous support for the document which also received the official support of Douglas councillors earlier this month.
Mr Quirk said the scope of the plan was too narrow and should cover areas beyond Douglas.
Department of Economic Development Minster Laurence Skelly said the plan, which proposes a town square, multiplex cinema, upgraded Sea Terminal and bridge with walkway linking upper and lower Douglas, was linked with the success of the whole island.
‘If we don’t get Douglas right, we will struggle to get the economic success we all strive for,’ he said.
‘If we don’t get it right it will threaten our success and hold back economic prosperity.’
Referring to various empty sites around Douglas, such as the bus station area and Summerland, he said: ‘Investors are being put off and we are missing out on the benefits of a co-ordinated strategy.’
The plan was formulated by a committee established in May 2013 comprising Douglas Council leader David Christian, the Douglas borough engineer, and members of the Departments of Economic Development, Social Care and Infrastructure.
Mr Skelly said the plan was not intended to be a statutory document, nor was it a planning application or designed to supersede current planning strategy. Instead he said it was to provide responses to the issues facing Douglas town centre and provide a framework for its development.
While supporting the development plans, South Douglas MHK Kate Beecroft said it was important not to bury the island’s unique identity in a redevelopment that looked the same as everywhere else.
Juan Turner MLC said the plan needed to take account of parking policy, looking at park and ride and free parking schemes to boost town centre trade.
‘This is not a pipe dream but a vision and, I hope, a reality, for the future,’ Mr Skelly said.