The applicants behind the proposed 50-metre swimming centre at King William’s College have dismissed criticisms about its plans.

Douglas North MHK Ralph Peake, Castletown commissioner David Parnell and businessman Roger Raatgever are behind the initiative for a pool, indoor running track, gym, cafe and five retail units in fields at the private school.

If approved, the building would be built on land that would be leased from King William’s College on a peppercorn rate, next to the Janet’s Corner estate.

A range of objections were submitted by the Southern Local Authority Swimming Pool Board, including that the plans had led to a delay for a new southern community pool to replace the aged pool next to Castle Rushen High School.

However, in a detailed response sent to planners, the applicant Southern Community Sports Facility’s agent Ashley Pettit from Ashley Pettit Architects, dismissed the objections as just opinions.

support

Mr Pettit said: ’The applicant fully supports the Department of Education, Sport and Culture in their plans for a six-lane 25-metre pool at CRHS.

’Anything that brings jobs, investment and facilities to the south is obviously welcomed.

’As long as the minister is happy to fund the build and subsidise the operation of a pool at CRHS from DESC budget, the size of the potential target market for facilities in the south is irrelevant.’

The email to planners has also sought address concerns raised by the Southern Local Authority Swimming Pool Board such as the lack of a viewing area in the initial designs submitted.

competitions

Mr Pettit confirmed that there would be a viewing area so parents could view their children swimming in lessons, training, ’fun sessions’ and competitions.

A further objection that the King William’s College scheme was not a community pool and that it was ’unacceptable that the new CRHS plans keeps being delayed because of a potential (unsuitable) pool at KWC’.

Mr Pettit said: ’The applicant would comment that the proposal is categorically for a community facility and we have always said that for 95% of the time it would be configured for community needs.

’This is clearly reflected in the name of the charity (SCSF) and its charitable objects that have been approved by the attorney general.

’It can be used as a training pool but that has never been its planned primary purpose.’

A potential conflict of interest between Mr Peake promoting this pool whole being a member of Treasury has also been dismissed.

The email to planners said that Mr Peake addressed this ’from day one and has recused himself’ from discussion about either scheme within Treasury.