Revised plans for a visitor hub at the Great Laxey Wheel have been unveiled.
The new scheme has been put forward by Manx National Heritage (MNH) for feedback after the body faced criticism over its original proposal.
The initial design, submitted late last year, was withdrawn in January amid backlash from Garff Commissioners, a well-known local historian and members of the public, who argued that the plans would clash with the historic character of the iconic Isle of Man landmark.
After going back to the drawing board, MNH will be hoping that the new adjustments to the scheme will align better with the site’s historical setting.
The original hub design faced considerable criticism, particularly from local historian and filmmaker Charles Guard, who said the proposed structure resembled a ‘plastic portable cabin’ or a ‘container in a car park’.
Garff Commissioners also voiced disapproval, calling for MNH to ‘redesign their plans’ and devise a structure more in keeping with the landscape surrounding the iconic attraction.
Responding to the concerns, MNH’s head of properties Steve Blackford addressed island planners back in January, acknowledging the feedback and promising adjustments.
Mr Blackford wrote that MNH had reconsidered elements of the design, including the hub’s location, to reduce its visual impact for visitors on the approach to the wheel.
Following a site visit with planning officer Vanessa Porter, MNH withdrew the initial application after it was noted that she would not be able to support the plans in their original form.
MNH are confident the revised designs have addressed many of the key criticisms.
Under the plans, the visitor hub has been repositioned moved away original proposed location, allowing visitors a clear view of the wheel from the car park.
The building will also feature cedar cladding, designed to naturally weather over time and blend with the surrounding environment, minimising its visual footprint.
According to MNH, the change to cedar cladding comes in response to public feedback, with the new materials selected in a bid to achieve a ‘low visual impact’.
It’s hoped that the visitor centre will be a ‘warm, welcoming and inviting space allowing visitors to browse, take shelter from poor weather and to interact with MNH staff.’
MNH say the new visitor hub will also act as a ‘retail sales area to generate secondary income supporting future conservation of Lady Isabella’.
Steve Blackford, head of properties at MNH, told Media Isle of Man that it was ‘vitally important’ to get the design of the new visitor hub perfect.
He said: ‘The Laxey Wheel is our third most visited site, but it’s an iconic site for the Isle of Man.
‘Everybody knows about the Laxey Wheel so it’s really important that we provide a better visitor experience for people getting there and that we provide them with more opportunities to understand the site and what they’re coming to visit.
‘It also gives us an opportunity to generate some income for the charity through increased admissions in retail sales.’
The revised plans are currently on display at the Manx Museum, with in-person consultations planned over the coming weeks to gather further public input.
A second consultation may also take place in Laxey next week, allowing community members to review the changes.
The new plans come as the Laxey Wheel, the largest working waterwheel in the world, undergoes a significant restoration project, valued at around £10 million.
The restoration project aims to secure the future of the island’s cherished landmark, which suffered a mechanical failure in September 2020 and was only set in motion again in October 2022.