A building scheme which proposes knocking down existing houses at the Chester Street car park end of Finch Road in Douglas and erecting offices and apartments has been rejected on appeal.

The plans, in the name of John O'Mara were criticised by the planning committee for 'significantly changing the appearance of Finch Road through the introduction of large flat-roofed dormers'.

A proposed car park, it was suggested, would have a significant adverse impact on Well Road Hill, the steep path between Finch Road and Market Street. The effect of a flank wall would be "overbearing".

And, said the committee, this development would probably make the redevelopment of a number of low grade, single storey shop units, which are
"unworthy of their prominent position in the town centre, more difficult and less successful".

The Planning Inspector Michael Hurley suggested that the proposed building would "have a most regrettable impact on the local scene". And he shared the Transport Department's concerns about access and problems resulting from the use of a hydraulic lift to access parking.