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Douglas Promenade's sunken gardens set for £1.4m revamp

BBC Sunken gardens on Douglas PromenadeBBC
Damage from Storm Barra in 2021 has been fixed ahead of improvements

Sunken gardens and a play area along Douglas Promenade are set for a £1.4m revamp.

The sections along the capital's coast line were flooded and walls came down by Storm Barra in December 2021.

While all the damage has been fixed, plans to rebuild a play park and improve the neighbouring gardens have been approved, Douglas Council said.

Council leader Claire Wells said the spaces would be "enhanced" and include "a lot more intuitive play".

The sections under renovation include two of the Marine Gardens and the Queen's Promenade gardens.

The council has budgeted £700,000 for the play area and £700,000 for the other gardens.

Wall down in playground within Douglas prom's sunken gardens
A playground was littered with rubble after a wall came down in December 2021

Ms Wells said the work was "all about making the area a bit more usable for everybody" and more "up to date".

Changes would include new seating areas and some more play areas for older children, she added.

Flood defences are also due to be put in place to protect the spaces from future damage, however those are separate to these proposals.

Sign at former play area in sunken gardens on Douglas Promenade
The play area was dismantled after significant storm damage

Ms Wells said the work to the gardens was a "next step" following major works to Douglas Promenade.

She hoped it would encourage locals, visitors and families to spend "more time down there" and enjoy the spaces.

While the plans have been approved, an architect will be appointed to draw up designs to be put on public display.

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