Projects costing £16.3m seeking Tynwald approval

Spending of £16.3m for a respite centre, a housing project and an updated airport drainage scheme will be put forward for parliamentary approval next month.

The Tynwald motion calls for £6m from the government's capital financing reserve for the redevelopment of the Radcliffe Villas respite facility in Douglas.

A total of £5m for a scheme to improve drainage and protect against flooding at the island's airport, and £5.3m for a housing project in Colby is also being sought.

Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood said the latter would "mark a significant step towards meeting the needs of the local community".

Overseen by the department's housing team, the Ballacubbon Project would see the construction of 20 two-bedroom properties, including seven houses and four apartments for first-time buyers, plus five bungalows and four apartments for public sector rent.

A government spokesman the three projects "represent a significant investment", which was in line with the government's roadmap Island Plan and the Economic Strategy.

He said the airfield drainage improvement scheme had been designed to enhance "operational resilience and safety" by reducing surface water flooding and improving the Runway End Safety Areas to support aircraft "in the event any leave the paved surfaces".

Haywood said the maintenance was "essential to the facility's continued safe operation while adhering to regulatory requirements".

A planning application for the demolition of the existing Radcliffe Villas adult learning disability respite unit, and the construction of its replacement, was submitted in June 2022 and approved in January the following year.

The new facility, set to be built on land at the rear of the existing 1983-built accommodation, will house 12-bedroomswith ceiling track hoists, fully-equipped disabled bathrooms and office facilities for staff.

Health Minister Claire Christian said the requested funding was "crucial for ensuring the continued delivery of effective respite services, supporting families and carers in the community".

The government had previously deemed the space "outdated" and agreed it was no longer meeting the needs of its residents, she added.

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