Suburban street scene with a moving gray car, modern two-story houses, pedestrians on sidewalk, and a nature trail signpost beside a pond under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

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

World map with a red location marker on the Isle of Man near the United Kingdom.

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.

Aerial view of a riverside residential neighborhood with rows of houses, trees, a riverbank, and a mountainous background.
Map showing a green park area with scattered trees, surrounded by roads and buildings, alongside a winding river.
Color-coded site plan showing clusters of orange and beige buildings, green parks with trees, and a blue river along the right edge.
Color-coded site plan showing residential buildings in orange and cream, green spaces with trees, pathways, and a river bordering the area, with directional arrows indicating flow.
Colored schematic map showing residential buildings, green parks, trees, water bodies, pedestrian paths, and directional arrows indicating flow through the area.
Color-coded site plan of a residential development with houses, roads, green spaces, and trees outlined by a red boundary line.

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.

Row of modern apartment buildings overlooking a sunlit park with people walking and children playing soccer at sunset.
Quiet suburban street with semi-detached houses, trees with autumn foliage, people walking, cycling, and a woman with a dog on the sidewalk.
Residential street with modern homes on the left, a park with playground equipment on the right, and people walking and playing under a partly cloudy sky.

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.

Spacious public house interior with large glass windows, wooden vaulted ceiling, hanging plants, and people dining and socializing.
Modern house with large glass windows and peaked roofs situated on a misty lakeside surrounded by autumn trees and grass.
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