Ramsey Riverside

Location: Ramsey, Isle of Man
Client:
Blythe Church Holdings
Scale:
205 homes, flood defence spine road, new park, retail and pub
Status: Outline Planning
Masterplanning & Architecture:
BACA architects
Press and Communications:
Merrion
Planning Consultant:
Bell Cornwell
Ecology:
JBA Ecology
Transport:
Tetra Tech
Scope of Works:
Full Architectural Service

Background

We were appointed to develop the masterplan for Sulby Riverside, a major residential-led regeneration scheme near Ramsey Town Centre.

For many years, the site had been privately owned and closed to the public.

Under new ownership, our vision is to transform this key gateway site into a vibrant riverside community, opening access to the River Sulby and creating a new destination that combines homes, landscape, and public life.

The masterplan builds upon the framework established in the West Ramsey Development Plan, which identified the area for future growth.

Our proposal introduces a mix of high-quality homes, new retail and workspace opportunities, and a riverside gastro-pub with function rooms, creating an animated public realm that celebrates its connection to the water.

Central to the design is a new spine road that links Poyll Dooey Road to the eastern settlements, improving accessibility and reducing pressure on local routes during major events such as the TT.

Process

Working closely with Ramsey Commissioners, we prioritised the delivery of the spine road within the first phase, alongside approximately 80 new homes and a public park.

The full masterplan will provide around 220 new dwellings, ranging from affordable apartments and townhouses to larger family homes arranged along tree-lined streets.

At the heart of the scheme sits a central park with play areas for all ages, ecological enhancements, and landscaped gardens designed to connect with the existing Sulby River Heritage Trail and the revitalised tramway cycle path.

Our approach to sustainable masterplanning focuses on creating a sense of place that encourages community interaction while respecting the natural landscape.

Architecture

The design integrates flood-resilient strategies, sustainable drainage, and biodiversity planting, ensuring that the new neighbourhood can adapt to future environmental challenges whilst maintaining beauty and accessibility.

The Sulby Riverside Development is about reconnecting people to the river and opening a landscape that has been inaccessible for generations.

By combining residential architecture, open green space, and a vibrant local economy, we are creating a development that feels authentic to Ramsey’s character.