TT accommodation on former prison site approved

A plan for a former prison site in the Manx capital to be used for temporary accommodation during the TT races has been unanimously backed by planners.

The site on Victoria Road would be used to house 203 units in portable cabins during the TT for the next three years, including staff accommodation.

Submitted by Duke Marketing, the site has been used for temporary accommodation by the firm during the festival since 2019, initially with 150 units, and increasing to 193 units in 2023 and 2024.

The planning officer who recommended approval told a committee that the proposals were "very beneficial to the local economy and the TT event itself".

Units would each include two single beds and a bathroom, with the plans also comprising a marquee with a canteen area, toilet and luggage blocks, stores and a gazebo seating area.

The planning officer's report noted there would be no retail or alcohol sales as well as no music or performances on the site.

He said the proposals were "very similar" to applications considered by the committee previously, but the "only issue" was whether temporary use of the site was "acceptable".

He said while he was content with the proposal for a further three years, he noted it would get to a point where he would not be able to support the proposals anymore as "proper development" of the government-owned site should be undertaken.

Echoing those views, chairman of the committee, Rob Callister, said at some point the Department of Home Affairs, which owned the land, or central government needed to look at development on the site, but the current plans were "very much needed for TT".

The setting up of the temporary accommodation would begin on 1 May with the facility to be operational for 17 days from 23 May, and the land would be cleared by 30 June.

This year's TT will run from 26 May until 7 June.

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