Port St Mary Commissioners hoping to have changing facility on Chapel Beach

It was one of the items discussed at its March board meeting

Port St Mary Commissioners are looking to have a changing area for people using Chapel Beach.

The local authority has drawn up provisional plans to include two changing rooms, a bench and public toilet

Also on the agenda was a discussion about installing ‘mental health benches’ and three new defibrillators for the port.

The commissioners are hoping to have the facility overlooking the beach to give better access to sea swimmers and visitors.

It could feature a roof and have hooks behind the bench for towels and coats to be stored whilst using the changing area.

Commissioner David Scott said he had spoken with a local architect firm who had drawn up the provisional plans for chapel beach.

He told the board that the next step is to establish who owns the land around the outside of the beach so the company can establish costs and the commissioners can get quotes.

Mr Scott said the architects also need to know what infrastructure is around the beach to understand how ‘complex’ a planning application could be.

The commissioners agreed to make inquiries into the land ownership.

Also on the agenda was a decision about whether to install ‘mental health benches’ around the port.

The board were told by Deputy Clerk Mark Kemp that the charity Ed Space were offering the brightly coloured seats up as a way to encourage people to talk to each other.

Mr Scott queried whether people would use them, however Mr Kemp said poor mental health is a ‘significant problem’ on the Island.

He added the commissioners could put out some social media posts to make residents aware of what they are.

Commissioner Lawrence Vaughn-Williams said in his professional experience he has seen the benefit of early intervention in people’s mental health and how it can seriously help people.

The board agreed to have three benches installed around the port.

And three new defibrillators have been installed around the village with the support of the local rifle club and the local authority.

Chair Jean Teare said she had attended a presentation at the club, where one will be located.

She told the board the others will be in the town hall.

Port St Mary Commissioners will next meet on Wednesday 29 April.