A fire station to serve Castletown and Ballasalla can be built on Ronaldsway Industrial Estate, planners have ruled.
The Department of Home Affairs want to replace the current facility in Castletown as it is ‘ageing and lacks the space and training facilities required to function as a 21st century fire station’.
It identified the site on land next to Forrest House as its preferred location because it will bring the fire station closer to the ‘major risks’ in its area – in the Ronaldsway and Balthane industrial estates.
Planners approved the application (13/91065/B) with a number of conditions.
Development can’t take place until details of the hard and soft landscaping, as well as the building’s external finishes, have been approved.
In addition, the fire station can’t be occupied until the two new vehicular accesses, eastern and western paved areas, and the 18-space parking area are completed.
Facilities will include changing facilities, offices, a canteen and a training room.
The two fire engines currently at Castletown fire station will be accommodated in appliance bays.
The project will involve a capital investment of approximately £950,000.
Work is due to get under way in April 2014, with an estimated completion date of December 2014.
The station would then be operational by early 2015.
