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Flood Fears Halt £1.4m Garden Redevelopment
5 Jun
Summary
- £1.4m seafront gardens redevelopment on hold due to flood defense concerns.
- Lack of certainty over long-term coastal protection cited as a reason.
- Infrastructure department states no plans to extend existing sea wall.
Plans for a £1.4 million redevelopment of the marine gardens in Douglas have been suspended due to concerns over inadequate flood defenses. The project, which aimed to revamp the Loch Promenade gardens damaged by storms in February, received planning approval last year. However, Douglas Council has now stated that it would be financially irresponsible to begin without certainty of long-term protection.
The Department of Infrastructure has clarified that there are no current plans to extend the sea wall along Loch Promenade, which already protects Harris and Central Promenades. The council was reportedly aware of this position when submitting its planning application.
The council cited the increasing frequency and severity of coastal weather events, alongside the gardens' vulnerability to tides and storm conditions, as reasons for pausing the project. The original 1930s design, intended for shelter, now leaves the gardens exposed to flooding and wave damage.
