Peel Commissioners' Marine Parade development given planning approval

Local authority wants to build new community centre on tennis courts

Peel Commissioners’ plans for a new community facility on Marine Parade have been approved by the planning committee.

The local authority wants to build a café, two function rooms and new public toilets on the tennis courts at the northern end of the promenade.

Peel Commissioners has previously said the area was ‘underused’ and the sports area could be located elsewhere.

Rob Callister, chair of the planning committee, said from public consultation, the site had the backing of the residents of Peel.

The entrance to the site will have a ramp for wheelchair access as well as stairs, and plants which are ‘salt tolerant’ will be included in the design.

For the proposed café, there will be room for 56 customers inside and 44 outside with a canopy to cover some of the seats and a glass balustrade in order to maintain the views of the castle.

Plans will also see a set of new public toilets which would have indoor and outdoor access.

Two function rooms will also be developed, a large one which will have room for up to 150 chairs and a small one can hold 50 chairs and will also serve as a new clubhouse for the bowls club.

Committee member Peter Young told the meeting that he believed it was a ‘cracking’ use of the site and the new facility would help improve the area of the promenade.

It was agreed by the committee unanimously.

The commissioners had previously received planning approval in principle for the development following an appeal.

The full application can be found here.