**Document:** APL Planning Statement **Application:** 22/00103/B — Creation of temporary tourist accommodation units and associated facilities for the 2022 Classic TT and Grand Prix period **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2022-03-17 **Parish:** Braddan **Document Type:** report / planning_statement **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/8552-braddan-former-prison-site/documents/946563 --- # APL Planning Statement ## Classic TT and MGP Village 2022 planning statement ### Proposal This planning application is for the provision of temporary accommodation for Classic TT and MGP visitors on the current vacant site of the former Prison on Victoria Road, Douglas. The proposal is to be known as the IOM TT Village and this application is to cover the 2022 Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix festival period only and the proposed village will be in operation for 10 days only. ### Applicant **U220103** The applicant is the Department of Enterprise who have negotiated with the landowners 'The Department of Home Affairs', who have agreed to license the DfE use of the site for the 2022. The need for accommodation was identified with official event sponsors who highlighted the lack of available accommodation for their guests who wanted to be near the paddock but not sleeping in a tent. The snooze box arrangement that had previously been utilized on Noble Park as a solution was found not viable in 2019 as the company had ceased trading and following paddock restructuring the Nobles site had to be for allocated for rider motor homes, retail, parking, and team vehicles, etc. Therefore, the vacant site of the former IOM Prison on Victoria Road and use of temporary sleeper cabins was identified as a solution for 2019 TT and a planning application 18/001346/B was approved to temporarily locate 150 No units and operated successfully for the 2019 TT. A further application 20/00255/B was made for the 2020 TT, which following early cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic was amended to cover the 2020 Classic TT/MGP event and was approved but again the event was subsequently also cancelled along with 2021. This application herewith seeks to replicate this 2020 approved proposal along with that has currently been submitted for the 2022 TT. ### Operator The proposed operator for this village is Duke Events Ltd, part of the Duke Group - an established name in motorsport who has over a period, diversified into travel and package tour operation with Duke Travel Ltd. They have been appointed as an Approved Travel Partner of the TT. The operator was approved under the previous planning 18/001346/B to temporarily locate 150 units on the same proposed site and operated the TT village safely, securely, and successfully through TT 2019. The TT Village achieved an occupancy level of 61% during 2019 for the TT, which Duke considered to be an 'encouraging' result, although not enough to cover year 1 costs, but the bookings for 2020 were scheduled for higher occupancy, due to repeat bookings from a large proportion of the 2019 clients, greater awareness of the facility, and the standards offered along with the continued shortage of hotel accommodation. The supplier of the temporary accommodation is proposed to be 'Bunkabin' the same supplier as 2019 and the proposed configuration is 6 single storey avenues of double rows of cabins back to back (see image 1) giving 12 No rows of 14 No cabins long. Each cabin room has 2 beds and average occupancy is expected to be 1.59 persons and the average stay 4.1 nights (based on 2019 bookings). Operating Staff will be located on site in a 2.9 x 3.35m cabin and a reception located in an office cabin 2.87 x 4.33m the same as in 2019. The units would be operational for the Classic TT and MGP period only with set up period of 8 days and take-down of 4 days. The clients for this accommodation will again be a mix of corporate guests of sponsors, European visitors and short stayers, who will predominately be flying to the event. ## Village Operation The supplier of the cabins has indicated it will take some 8 days to erect the village with first guests and operation as 'IOM TT Village' from Saturday 20th August to the 29th August 2022 with removal commencing Wednesday 1st September 2022. The site will be fully reinstated to its 'as before' condition or better. During operation the Village will be permanently manned by a full time site manager, located on site in the temporary office, supplemented by security and housekeeping staff. All rooms will be serviced with onsite collection of laundry and refuse. All cabins will have connection to main supplies, via a rear service spine :- - water connects via 15 mm inlet socket - power via 32 amp socket - waste water outlets via 110 mm pipe, via foul chambers ( 6 No ) to existing foul manhole - fire alarm provision within the individual cabins is provided along with repeaters to each row Low level lighting will again be proposed to the avenues between the cabins and key areas, which take the form of solar-powered LED light fittings mounted on the cabins to limit possible light pollution. The guests will be able to have a continental style breakfast within a tented reception marquee area before leaving the Village for the day (see image 2). Tea and coffee refreshments will also be provided upon return but it should be noted there will be no retail or alcohol sales and no music/performance events on site. Based on 2019 visitor statistics and current booking information, it is predicted that very few guests who will use the facility will have their own transport, the corporate guests profile indicates they will be transported by sponsors vehicles or utilise either taxis or minibus arrangements to site. Notwithstanding, there is provision motorcycles within the hardstanding area adjacent to the entrance and parking for 20 cars, the car spaces will will be marked out in a minimum of spaces prior to operation as in 2019. For vehicular access and for deliveries, drop off etc is again proposed to use the existing entrance and exit from the old Prison building onto Victoria Road only, this exit being in operation for some significant period during the sites previous use. The exit was 3D modelled in 2019 to demonstrate that the size of the required visibility splays could be achieved without the need for lowering the existing wall, but by cutting back vegetation compliance with the Condition distance could be met. Pedestrians will also be able to access site from Upper Duke Road as well as Victoria Road. ## Consultees The agent /operator has previously approached or consulted the following organisations in connection with and prior to submission of this application:- - Planning and Building Control Directorate - Planning - Manx Utilities - Water, Electricity \& Drainage. - Douglas Corporation - Building Control \& Nobles Park - Department of Infrastructure - Highways - Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service - Access and Fire Regulations - Department of Home Affairs - As landowner and the Police - Environmental Health and DEFA - Food and Waste The operator again proposes to communicate these proposals to the neighbours by personal visits and a letter drop and consult with same as with previous applications. --- *Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).* *Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/8552-braddan-former-prison-site/documents/946563*