Work to build controversial £900,000 sea wall started without planning permission 

Douglas: So, there’s this big fuss going on about a new sea wall in Douglas. They kicked off construction without getting the proper planning permission first. Can you believe it?

Months after they started building, the planning committee finally gave it a thumbs up, but not without some serious grumbling. Peter Young, the acting chairman, said he’d support it “with a heavy heart” because he really doesn’t like the look of it.

Another committee member, Helen Hughes, chimed in, saying she hates the wall too since it blocks the beach view. It’s a 1.2-meter high wall that’s supposed to stretch 500 meters along the promenade, starting near the Douglas War Memorial.

This whole project is costing a whopping £900,000. It was initially shot down back in 2019 but got the green light after an appeal in 2020. However, the approval is set to expire soon, and now the War Memorial is protected as a registered building.

There were a couple of objections to the project, and a planning consultant pointed out that work should have stopped when they realized a new application was needed. She argued that the wall is ruining the area’s charm and could lead to more walls popping up along the promenade.

One officer mentioned that the wall could block the view for veterans and others attending important events at the memorial. It’s a real concern since many of them have mobility issues.

Despite the pushback, the planning officer recommended approval, saying the benefits of the wall were clear, even if it might change the area’s character a bit. They settled on a height of 1.2 meters after considering a taller option.

Some members of the committee were still on the fence about it. While they understood the need for sea defenses, they weren’t thrilled about the wall’s appearance. In the end, the committee voted four to two in favor of the project.