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Ramsey marina plan announced

Provision for hotel, shops and housing as well

Plans for a major new 400-berth yacht marina in Ramsey have been announced.

The site is the beach between the South Pier and the Queen's Pier, with dredged silt being used to reclaim land in front of the bowling alley.

Approximately 40% of the reclaimed area will be developed and mixed residential and commercial properties will be built, which will be in keeping with the Ramsey Urban Conservation Zone.

The profits from selling the properties will be used to subsidise the cost of building the marina.

A large breakwater will also be built out from the existing harbour.

Apart from that breakwater, no other material will be imported or exported.

The plans includes housing, commercial outlets and a five star boutique hotel.

Those behind the project say the number of commercial properties will be kept to a minimum, though, to boost visitor numbers to the town's existing shopping areas as much as possible.

In addition to the hotel, chandlery stores and bars around a piazza-type area are planned.

They also insist the marina will attract up to 10,000 additional visitors to the town annually, adding £1 million to the local GDP and creating up to 300 jobs.

The development will occupy the reclaimed land to the north of the bowling alley, while a new yacht club will be built at the south end.

This will have the facilities to host national and international sailing events.

The promoters of the marina say they're very much aware of the Ramsey Bay Marine Conservation Area, and want to enhance the local environmental aspects as much as possible.

They say a new marine ecosphere will be created by building the breakwaters, enhancing the propagation of fish.

It's also hoped shellfish, including the near-extinct Manx oyster, can be propagated under the pontoons. 

The total project cost is estimated to be in the region of £100 million, of which 50% will come from the property sales and 50% will be raised from the private sector.

More information about the marina can be found here.

Ramsey Marina Limited Director Robin Bromley-Martin is aware past bids to build a marina have failed, but says this one is very different to previous attempts:

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