Controversial plans to create a transport ‘interchange’ in Ramsey have been thrown out.
The Council of Ministers supported the recommendation of planning inspector Stephen Amos to reject the scheme on the grounds that its ‘industrial character and utilitarian appearance’ would be out of keeping with the area and its historic tramway.
Enthusiasts in the MER Society welcomed the decision and said it contrasted starkly with the approval given to ‘degeneration works’ at Laxey railway station.
The proposals submitted by the Department of Infrastructure included clearing the existing Ramsey MER station and creating a transport interchange including a combined trams and bus station, car park and bus parking, refuelling and washing facilities.
This would overcome problems caused by the current bus and tram stations being separated, would focus public transport near the town centre and enhance the character of the area.
But the planning inspector said that a yard characterised by extensive hard-standing, parked vehicles and plant and equipment of ‘industrial character and utilitarian appearance’ in this prominent location would be ‘visually intrusive’ and would ‘cause significant harm to the character and appearance’ of the area.
Mr Amos said its unrelieved concrete surfacing and parked buses would produce an ‘inappropriate visual context’ for the railway and detract from the enjoyment of MER passengers and from the attractiveness of Ramsey town centre for tourists and other visitors.
He said that would be contrary to the Strategic Plan.