Plans submitted for 85 new homes on former Buchan School site

Planning permission is being sought for the construction of up to 85 homes on the site of the former Buchan School in Castletown.

Hartford Homes hopes to develop a mix of property types and sizes, including 21 affordable homes.

They would be built together with associated highways and pedestrian access and infrastructure, drainage, landscaping and public open space.

Also included in the plans is the creation of a new urban park within the existing woodland.

Details of the plans were previously put on display at a pre-application consultation event in the town - you can read more HERE.

The site at Westhill was sold to the Isle of Man-based developer in January last year ahead of the amalgamation of the Buchan School and Buchan Nursery onto the grounds of King William’s College in September.

Now we can finally see the plans for the land going forward.

(Picture credit: Hartford Homes' planning application)

The developer says all properties would be highly energy efficient and incorporate air source heat pumps and solar panels, and that the scheme aims to achieve no net loss in biodiversity.

It adds that 'if approved, this development will be progressed very quickly, following the securing of statuary consents like Building Regulations, etc.'

('Houses facing onto Arbory Road, with car parking located out of sight at the rear of the properties'. Picture credit: Hartford Homes)

The proposed site is made up of the former Buchan School campus and has an overall area of approximately 5.18 hectares.

The types of dwelling being proposed, range from two and three bed first time buyer homes to larger five bed homes.

All affordable homes would be offered for sale through the government’s ‘First Time Buyer Scheme’, with prices set by government, with the developer confirming these would be 'spread (pepper potted) throughout the site'.

(Existing site plan. Credit: Hartford Homes)

The site adjoins existing residential properties on the northern and eastern boundaries, the Arbory Road on the southern boundary and a public footpath on the western boundary, with residential and commercial properties to the west of the footpath.

In addition to the registered woodland, there are existing trees on all boundaries, to varying degrees.

The complete site is marked by stone boundary walls, apart from its boundary with the Pony Field in the east, which is marked by trees.

(Site location relative to town. Credit: Hartford Homes)

(Example of a typical detached house in the plans. Credit: Hartford Homes)

(Typical semi- detached homes. Credit: Hartford Homes)

In its concluding remarks, Hartford Homes' planning application says: "The proposals have been designed to deliver a high-quality residential development, and on completion will be one of the most sustainable developments on the island.

"The proposals comply with the Residential Design Guide, and all homes will be highly energy efficient and incorporate air source heat pumps and solar panels.

"The proposed development can be delivered without delay, subject to the granting of planning approval, and this will provide the much-needed new housing for Castletown identified by government and add to the vitality of the town centre and make it more sustainable."

You can find the plans (26/00122/B) in full HERE.