‘We have to move forward’ with Cosy Nook plans

Port Erin Commissioners will push on with its plans for the Cosy Nook cafe, after a call for an alternative design was withrawn.

At its board meeting held virtually last night (11 June), the local authority agreed to wait for a decision from the planning committee on the current proposals, which have yet to be submitted.

A motion from Mrs Dawn Sim, brought on by what she says is ‘negative feedback from the public’, proposed the commissioners obtain a ‘different drawing’ from architects.

She argued the proposed cafe’s size was ‘overdeveloped’ for the beachside setting.

 It prompted a debate which saw many share the concern that going back to the drawing board would cost both time and money. 

Reservations were also raised on the timing and the purported ‘economic risk’ of the Cosy Nook redevelopment, with Adrian Tinkler commenting that the development was ‘not an appropriate statement to make following a pandemic’. 

He added the Island’s ‘collapsing’ tourism market during the ‘new normal’ wouldn’t sustain the cafe business.

This claim was refuted by Phillip Crellin, who said blaming coronavirus was ‘disingenuous’ and argued the plans would be an ‘investment in the economy.’

‘It’s not a negative thing to build this’ he said, ‘things can’t stay the same, we have to move forward.’

Other commissioners questioned whether the cafe could be viable during the winter months, with one describing it as a ‘daydream’.

It was pointed out to Mrs Sim that her motion wouldn’t affect the board’s original decision of approving the submission in March.

She subsequently withdrew with no vote taken and agreed to leave the proposals in the hands of the planning committee.

Plans for the Cosy Nook, which were unveiled in March by architects Ellis Brown, will now be ‘popped in the post’ according to the clerk.