Laxey Coach Park Planning Statement

Redevelopment of

Coach Park, Mines Road, Laxey

Planning Statement – P06

July 2012

1.0 Introduction

This application for Planning Permission relates to a section of the overall proposals for Laxey village which have been developed in respect of the Chief Minister's Town and Village Regeneration scheme.

2.0 Regeneration Scheme

2.1 The Laxey Regeneration Committee has been developing proposals for submission to the Chief Minister's Regeneration Scheme since 2010. 2.2 Outline proposals were developed following extensive consultations and were then displayed at a public exhibition in mid-2011. Following this exhibition the proposals were modified in light of public comment. 2.3 The proposals adopted by the Regeneration Committee include the creation of a village square, improved linkage to the MER station, improvements to the Rose Garden area, repaving of the roadside footway linking the centre of the village to the main coach parking and drop off point and improvements to the coach parking and drop off area.

Regeneration area

3.0 Proposals

3.1 Coach trips to and around the Isle of Man constitute a prime method of tourist movements on the island. Laxey is one of the main destinations, due to the presence of the Lady Isabella wheel, mining history and the Manx Electric Railway. 3.2 The topography and layout of Laxey provide few places where coaches can drop off passengers or park. Coaches cannot access the 'wheel' car park and the nature and size of the village roads prejudices access to the station and shore areas. 3.3 The location of the current coach park is directly accessed from the main route through the village, and conveniently sits between the 'Wheel' and the village centre where the MER station is located. 3.4 The existing coach park takes the form of an area of blacktop which is generally ill-defined other than the painting of lane lines and text on each bay. The lack of definition of the area has led to misuse of the area by the parking of vehicles and other items, especially during the winter months, which can severely limit the usability of the space.

3.5 The disposition and orientation of the bays within the space results in uncontrolled access and egress from the coaches onto trafficable areas, and the lack of any pedestrian only areas. Coaches are also required to undertake reversing manoeuvres on and across the public highway in close proximity of a junction. 3.6 The proposals seek to provide defined parking/set down areas where manoeuvring is confined to the defined area and passenger access and egress is confined to pedestrian only areas. 3.7 Visitors being dropped off or picked up from the coach park require an area to congregate and either orientate themselves within the village context or wait for access to or return of coaches. In this regard the proposal includes a paved area for such use, along with the provision of seating. The provision of an information point will be the subject of a separate application following conclusion of discussions with public art providers. 3.8 The proposal seeks to define the area by the provision of raised pedestrian walkways and the differentiation of the coach manoeuvring and parking areas by the use of coloured tarmac and painted text.

3.9 It is proposed that the pedestrian footways and milling area be paved in a dark grey/black limestone in order that they blend with the local stonework. The seating units will be timber and cast iron, redolent of the engineered nature of the 'wheel' and other historic working structures in the village.

4.0 Scope of the proposal

4.1 The proposal encompasses the following works -

Removal of existing surfacing and footways Formation of new raised pedestrian area for passenger waiting. Definition of coach parking area. Refinishing of vehicle parking and turning area. Provision of new lighting, handrail to top of slope and seating. Provision of dropped kerbs to facilitate wheeled access to and from the west side of Mines Road.

5.0 Planning policy

5.1 The Laxey and Lonan Area Plan of 2005 places the site within a wider area designated as 'open space' and 'predominantly residential'. The area is currently used for vehicle parking, and has been for some time. 5.2 The site sits wholly within the Laxey Conservation Area.

6.0 Consultations

6.1 The proposed works to the Coach Park have been developed in conjunction with the Laxey Regeneration Committee and the Highways Division of the Department of Infrastructure. The final proposals have been put to the both parties who have confirmed their endorsement.

9.0 Conclusion

9.1 The proposals aim to provide a safer and more efficient coach parking area and to enhance the existing character of this part of the Laxey Conservation Area. 9.2 The proposals accord with the aims of the Chief Minister's Regeneration Scheme.