Douglas Council objects to a 'Food Warehouse by Iceland' planning application

Local authority says social benefits of store don't outweigh planning objectives

Douglas Council has lodged an objection to a planning application for a 'Food Warehouse by Iceland' supermarket in Spring Valley Trading Estate. 

In its minutes, the Environmental Services Committee were told the land is zoned for 'industrial' use rather than retail and under business policy five of the strategic plan this wouldn't be permitted unless there's an 'exceptional circumstance'. 

The application submitted by the Isle of Man Development Company is looking for full approval to develop a 1,247 square metre retail warehouse with 72 parking spaces.  

It added it 'acknowledged' the potential economic and social benefits of the store, but these do not outweigh the 'significant conflict' with core planning policy objectives.

The council wrote in its objection that under the policy, the project could only be approved if sales wouldn't detract from the 'vitality and viability' of town centres. 

You can read more about the council's objection here.

UPDATE: Councillor Falk Horning, chair of the Environmental Services Committee, said: ‘Douglas City Council fully supports new retail opportunities in our community but they must be in the right place. We are committed to encouraging high-quality developments that enhance the places where we live and work and we recognise the benefits an Iceland store could bring to our retail offering.

‘However, it is essential that new developments align with the Island’s planning framework. If more people buy their food from retailers located in industrial areas, footfall in our town and city centres will drop. Many people combine their weekly food shopping in the city with a visit to other shops. Therefore, an Iceland in an industrial area would impact not only food retailers in the city but also decrease viability of other shops.’