Leading regeneration and clean energy specialist, Peel NRE, is bringing forward proposals to deliver a state-of-the-art Science Innovation and Research Centre (SIRC), a sustainable energy park and a medicinal cannabis cultivation facility to the land at Cooil Road, Braddan.
Following Tynwald’s decision to legalise the cultivation, production, and export of medicinal cannabis products on the Island, Peel NRE has been evolving plans for a flagship scheme supporting cutting-edge research in this emerging industry on the Isle of Man.
Located at the junction of Cooil Road and the A5 (New Castletown Road), this game-changing scheme will create new, high-quality technical jobs, bring economic opportunities, and deliver investment to the Isle of Man that will unlock partnerships across the public and private sectors.
After undertaking a public consultation in Spring 2022 and considering the feedback received, we have now submitted our final proposals to the Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture for planning permission. The application reference is 22/00678/B and can be accessed via this link. We will keep you updated on how the plans progress and want to thank all those who took the time to provide us with your feedback.
August 2022, Public asked to feedback on new economic strategy – Manx Radio
July 2022, Public stamp of approval for Isle of Man medicinal cannabis industry attracts development investment – CBD Business
June 2022, Plans progress to kickstart medicinal cannabis industry with science and innovation centre on the Isle of Man – Peel NRE
June 2022, Isle of Man medicinal cannabis cultivation centre plans submitted – BBC
In the past two decades access to medical cannabis has rapidly expanded globally, following growing awareness and evidence of its therapeutic benefits. In 2019, the Isle of Man Government undertook an extensive public consultation across the Island to understand people’s views on the cultivation of cannabinoids for medicinal use. The consultation resulted in 95% of all respondents voting in favour of the cultivation and processing the plant for medicinal purposes, provided it was appropriately regulated.
Considering this “very strong support”, Tynwald unanimously backed the legalisation of the production and export of cannabis products on the Island in January 2021, recognising that a new industry could be a key contributor to the Isle of Man’s post-Covid economy recovery. Tynwald has recognised the potential economic benefits that a well-regulated medicinal cannabis sector could deliver to the Island by including it in their new draft Economic Strategy ‘Our Island, Our Future’, noting the sector as one to ‘protect, nurture and grow’.
Our proposed development represents an opportunity for the Island to become a leader in this emerging sector, helping the Isle of Man develop home-grown talent in the research and development sectors for medicinal cannabis and to contribute to cutting-edge research for pharmaceutical benefits. By incorporating and building on innovative technologies found in cannabis facilities across the world, the development will enable the Island to lead the way on medicinal research and cultivation best practice.
We held a pre-application consultation on our proposals between 14 February – 7 March 2022 and received 400 responses from members of the public. This dedicated website was set up with a virtual exhibition room, letters were sent to more than 3,500 residents, and two webinars were held to promote the consultation, encourage participation, and gather as much feedback as possible on the proposals.
When asked ‘Do you support the development of a science innovation and research centre, a sustainable energy park and a medicinal cannabis cultivation facility on land at Cooil Road, Braddan?’, 88% of respondents (344/387) said they did, showing a significant level of support for the proposed campus development.
Peel NRE are committed to engaging with local residents and stakeholders, and the feedback that was received during the consultation has been reviewed and incorporated into the plans where possible.
Leading the way in a developing sector
Our ambition is to bring forward a gold-standard centre of science and innovation for cannabis cultivation and research, which will lead in this emerging sector on the Isle of Man. The gateway site, close to the Island’s capital, will add to a growing commercial cluster.
The proposals will deliver:
The planning application is a ‘hybrid application’, consisting of plans in detail, which will allow the first phase of development to begin, and plans in principle, which set out what kind of development will be developed. A further planning application will be required with more detail before the consented plans in principle can be built.
Phase One of Peel NRE’s scheme would see two of the cultivation facilities developed, along with an access road, engineering works and preliminary landscaping. The remaining cultivation facility units as well as the science innovation and research centre and the sustainability park, will be plans in principle for a later phase of the development.
Below are the main elements delivered as part of the site:
Science Innovation and Research Centre (SIRC) Buildings
Sustainable Energy Park
Cannabis Cultivation Campus
FAQs
If you have any questions about our plans, check below to see our FAQs and answers. For all other questions, please visit our contact page to get in contact with the team.
Peel NRE is bringing forward proposals for a new medicinal cannabis facility, science innovation and research centre, and sustainable energy park located on land at Cooil Road, Braddan.
The site would include a combination of laboratory research and development and crop cultivation spaces, which would seek to position the Island a world leader in this field. The development will also be served through a new solar farm, generating clean energy to power the site.
The site is located to the west of Cooil Road (A6), north of New Castletown Road (A5), and on the western edge of Douglas. It is adjacent to Eden Park business park and Spring Valley Industrial Estate and in close proximity to the airport in the South.
In 2019, the Isle of Man Government undertook an extensive public consultation across the Island to determine the support or otherwise for the introduction of new laws to allow cannabis to be grown for medicinal use.
The consultation resulted in 95% of all respondents indicated a preference in favour of the cultivation and processing the plant for medicinal purposes, provided it was appropriately regulated.
Considering this “very strong support”, Tynwald unanimously backed the legalisation of the production and exportation of cannabis products on the Island in January 2021, recognising that a new industry could be a key contributor to the Isle of Man’s post-Covid economy recovery.
In the past two decades access to medical cannabis has rapidly expanded globally, following growing awareness and evidence of its therapeutic benefits. In mainland UK medical cannabis use is legal as long as it is prescribed by a doctor on a specialist register. In November 2020, the National Health Service confirmed that it is planning a clinical trial of cannabis oil in 2021, and although research is still ongoing, the preliminary evidence suggests that non-psychoactive cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannadinol (THC), are effective in treating many physical, emotional, and mental health conditions.
The development has been brought forward in accordance with the regulations approved by the Tynwald which allows commercial operators to produce medical cannabis products. Currently, the Department of Health and Social Care have awarded a licence for the importation and dispensing of cannabis based products for medicinal use to Karsons Pharmacy, which will run on a 12 month pilot basis. This means residents with private prescriptions for medicinal cannabis products will be able to have their prescriptions fulfilled locally for the first time. For more information click here. In the future, we hope the facility would be able to contribute to local distribution of cannabis-derived products.
Access into the site would be from the new roundabout off Cooil Road located adjacent to the Jackson’s car dealership. Upon arriving at the site, visitors will be ‘screened’ by security and directed toward the appropriate building.
Alternatively, visitors would be directed to designated bays relevant to each individual Science Innovation and Research building. HGVs would be held at the gatehouse for security checks ahead of registration and then granted access into the facility. Sufficient manoeuvring space would be provided to allow HGVs to turn and exit using forward gear only.
The Development Brief requirements require a number of environmental matters to be appropriately assessed within any submission. This includes seeking to ensure no net qualitative loss of biodiversity; consideration of the existing high pressure gas pipeline; and preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). We have agreed the content of the EIA with the Department and that we are co-ordinating with adjacent development promoters (i.e., Hartford Homes).
Appropriate security fencing would be installed to maintain the high levels of security required by the nature of the development. Peel NRE will work with officers from the Isle of Man Planning Service to determine the appropriate specification of any fencing used in order to ensure that it is both fit for purpose and is also sensitive to the local environment. CCTV poles would also be erected which would facilitate remote visibility controlled from the Science Innovation and Research Centre Control Room.
Prior to entering the Cannabis Cultivation Facility, vehicles would be required to pass through a security barrier manned by security personnel housed within a single-storey gatehouse. HGVs, for example, would be held at the gatehouse for security checks ahead of registration and then granted access into the facility.
Yes – The Peel Group has a long-standing connection with the Isle of Man. Our principal shareholders have been resident on the Island for more than 40 years, making the decision to develop here an easy one.
The facility would deliver a range of employment opportunities for the community, with some available in Phase 1 of the scheme, such as security, administration, and ground maintenance roles. Once fully built, the development would unlock a significant number of quality technical jobs for Islanders that have been trained and have the qualifications in the relevant fields. These employment opportunities would include botanists, technicians, security personnel, maintenance roles, marketing and communications, and office positions.
Alongside the delivery of high tech, quality jobs, there will also be opportunities for local businesses during the construction phase, who will work in tandem with industry specialists. Once operational, there will be further supply chain opportunities across a range of contracts from non-specialist equipment supply to site operations and maintenance.
If approved, the development would seek to unlock learning and research partnerships with local education institutions and public bodies, acting as a catalyst for on-Island medicinal cannabis education, upskilling, and employment opportunities. Islanders would also get the opportunity to work side by side with industry experts from across the globe.
Are you interested in working at the future Science Innovation and Research Centre? Click here to register for updates on our development.
Peel NRE applied for planning consent for the final proposals in June 2022. The reference is 22/00678/B and can be accessed via this link. This will be discussed and determined by Tynwald and we expect a decision early 2023. If we are successful, we would hope to start construction on site by Autumn 2023, lasting for approximately 9 months.
If you operate a business or organisation and you are interested in partnering with us, please click here to fill out a form to register your interest.
The Peel Group has long-standing links with the Isle of Man, our principal shareholders have been resident on the Island for over 40 years, making the decision to develop here an easy one.
As part of Peel L&P, Peel NRE is at the heart of the nation’s activity around clean growth and the circular economy – helping the UK achieve net zero by 2050 and supporting the regions in their actions to achieve climate emergency targets.
We re-use, re-purpose and re-energise natural resources to develop and maintain vital infrastructure across the UK and are experts in renewable energy, district heating, waste to value, water management, materials management and electric vehicle charging.
Our Protos Cheshire energy and resource hub leads the way in low carbon energy and waste management with the deployment of innovative technologies including the UK’s first plastic-to-hydrogen facility, a 50MW windfarm, a 21.5MW biomass plant, a 49MW energy from waste plant in construction and a plastic park blueprint to revolutionise plastic recycling nationwide.
Across the UK we have delivered over 180MW of onshore wind, including the 65MW Scout Moor windfarm, and are currently delivering a further 120MW on the Shetland Islands.
We provide a range of water supply and drainage services along 124km of waterways – providing access to over 150,000,000m3 of water per annum for industrial and potable uses.
We work in partnership with investors, technology providers and business, together with the public sector, to provide bespoke real estate, infrastructure and operational solutions for the low carbon and circular economy sector.
Excellence in environmental stewardship and energy management is integral to our operations and examples of best practice exist across our investments.
We see possibility. We deliver transformation.
If you want to stay up to date with the proposals, you can register for updates by filling in the form below
We want to unlock opportunities across the public and private sector, and work in partnership with local organisations, technology providers and businesses across the Island to make this scheme a reality. If you are interested in partnering with Peel NRE, please fill in this form below and a member of the team will be in touch.
You can contact the project team in the following ways:
Make your voice heard by submitting this feedback form. We want to know what you think about our plans. What do you think about our proposals? What do you like? What do you dislike? Do you have specific issues about the plans? How do you think our scheme could be improved?
Your views are important to us so please take this opportunity to complete the feedback form below and have your say. Alternatively, you can get in touch by using one of the methods listed on our Get In Touch section above.