Peel NRE has sought planning permission from the Department of Environment, Food, and Agriculture to build a science and innovation centre, sustainable energy park, and medicinal cannabis facility on the Isle of Man.
This is the first of eight phases as part of the company’s plans for the 72-acre site, which is expected to create 250 local jobs.
Phase one of the medical cannabis cultivation facility will span two buildings, totalling 25,000 sq.ft.
When all eight stages are complete, the facility will be 178,000 sq.ft across six buildings.
The proposed science and innovation centre would be 102,000 sq.ft, also divided across six buildings.
The sustainable energy park will include 8,600 solar panels, expected to generate 9.2MW per day, according to a planning statement.
The park would be the only renewable energy project on the island, and help bolster the government’s commitment to tackling climate change.
Located across two sites, one to the west of Cooil Road and the other north of New Castletown Road, the project represents around £150m of potential investment by Peel NRE into the island economy.
‘A new and exciting industry’
According to Peel, the project has received overwhelming support from the community following a public consultation for the project.
Peel NRE hopes that the project would provide a place of global scientific and technological excellence that will continue to contribute to cutting-edge research.
The plans follow a recent change in the legislation of cannabis production and exportation on the Isle of Man.
Myles Kitcher, managing director of Peel NRE, said: “This is a game-changing opportunity for the Isle of Man to get ahead in a new and exciting industry that will bring many benefits to the Island and its people and we also hope that it will encourage more renewable projects in the area.
“As expected, our proposals have attracted a lot of attention and, we are pleased to say, significant support from the community during the extensive public consultation. This includes positivity around the emerging industry on the Island, the proposed campus-style development and new educational and career opportunities.
“We will be holding an industry event later in the year for businesses interested in finding out more about available opportunities.”
Dr Alex Allinson MHK, minister for treasury, added: “The development of the Island’s medicinal cannabis sector is a key part of the Government’s ambitions to diversify the economy as well as creating a vibrant new sector to attract more investment and skills to the Isle of Man.
“We are looking to create a world-class infrastructure and continue to welcome interest in developing this sector further.”
AXIS Planning and Design is the planning consultant for the development. Garry Stewart Design Associates is the architect.
Image: An artist’s impression of the facility (credit: Garry Stewart Design Associates)
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