A science and innovation centre and sustainable energy park are also part of Peel NRE’s plans for 72 acres of land off Cooil Road in Braddan.

Peel has launched a consultation for the project, which it says could bring between £90m and £180m of investment to the island’s economy. It would also create local jobs in a variety of fields, including botany, research, technology and security.

In January 2021, the Isle of Man passed a resolution to legalise the growing, production and export of medicinal cannabis. It is still not, however, legal to consume medicinal cannabis on the island.

The sustainable energy park would have a solar farm, electricity substation and surface water lagoon. The science and innovation research centre would hold offices, laboratories and spaces for conferences.

Peel’s plans also call for pharmaceutical-grade facilities for the research of and growing cannabis, as well as the production of a medicinal variety.

Peel’s work on a medicinal cannabis facility is in line with the Isle of Man government’s goals, according to Stephen Snowdon, planning and development manager at Peel NRE.

“The Isle of Man Government is seeking to establish an innovation cluster on the island, dedicated to the production and export of cannabis-derived products serving the medicinal and pharmaceutical markets,” he said.

“We are excited to bring our proposals forward to help to create a new export market, more jobs and attract a range of specialist scientific and research and development industries to the Island to support the local economy.”

Peel aims to submit a hybrid planning application to the Isle of Man’s Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture this spring. The application would have detailed plans for the first phase of the development, which would include the cannabis cultivation facilities and principle plans for the rest of the project.

AXIS Planning, Environment and Design is the planning consultant on the project. Garry Stewart Design Associates is the architect.

Consultation on the scheme concludes 7 March. You can view the consultation documents at peelnreconsultation.co.im.