Historical Records for Former Douglas Bus Station Site and Surrounding

Summary

A request was made for historical records regarding underground infrastructure at the former Douglas bus station site, but the Department of Infrastructure responded that the information is not held.

Key Facts

• The Department of Infrastructure does not hold the requested historical maps, plans, or surveys.
• The Freedom of Information Act 2015 only applies to information created on or after 11 October 2011.
• Most of the requested records predate the 2011 Act and are therefore outside its scope.
• The authority suggested contacting Douglas City Council regarding Parade Street ownership.
• The request covered areas including Chapel Lane, Fort Street, and the site of St Barnabas Church.

Data Disclosed

• 11 October 2011
• 23 December 2025
• 8 January 2026
• 5190945
• section 4(1)

Exemptions Cited

• Section 4(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (temporal scope limitation)

Original Request

Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to make a Freedom of Information request under the Freedom of Information Act 2015 for records relating to the former Douglas bus station site and surrounding area, particularly focusing on historical underground infrastructure. I am requesting access to any documents, maps, plans, surveys, or records held by the Department of Infrastructure relating to: 1. Historical maps and survey records showing underground structures, tunnels, cellars, or vaulted spaces within the former bus station site and surrounding area (Including but not limited to, Chapel Lane, across to Cambrian Place and the site of St Barnabas Church, Fort Street including entire car parking zones to the rear of Fort Street as far back as Walpole Avenue and Victoria Street, across to Parade Street and back up to the site of the old bus stations, also including the central Lord Street road, encompassing the whole area. 2. Any engineering, utilities/drainage, or infrastructure plans from the Victorian era through to the current day that document underground features in this area. 3. Records relating to the discovery or documentation of tunnels in the 1930s, as referenced in historical accounts. 4. Any recent geophysical surveys conducted on this site, including the survey that identified vaulted hollow spaces beneath the area, along with information about who commissioned this. 5. Any archaeological assessments or heritage reports relating to underground features across this location. 6. Historical planning or development records that reference underground structures in this area. I am conducting historical research to document pre-tourism Douglas infrastructure before the upcoming redevelopment of the site, and attempting to preserving knowledge of the area's historical maritime and commercial heritage. If some of these records are held by other departments or organisations (such as Manx National Heritage/Utilities etc), I would appreciate being directed to the appropriate bodies. If you require clarification regarding this request, you are welcome to contact me at the email attached to the FOI. I look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe. Yours faithfully

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 5190945 8 January 2026

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 23 December 2025, which states:

"Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to make a Freedom of Information request under the Freedom of Information Act 2015 for records relating to the former Douglas bus station site and surrounding area, particularly focusing on historical underground infrastructure.

I am requesting access to any documents, maps, plans, surveys, or records held by the Department of Infrastructure relating to:

1. Historical maps and survey records showing underground structures, tunnels, cellars, or vaulted spaces within the former bus station site and surrounding area (Including but not limited to, Chapel Lane, across to Cambrian Place and the site of St Barnabas Church, Fort Street including entire car parking zones to the rear of Fort Street as far back as Walpole Avenue and Victoria Street, across to Parade Street and back up to the site of the old bus stations, also including the central Lord Street road, encompassing the whole area.

2. Any engineering, utilities/drainage, or infrastructure plans from the Victorian era through to the current day that document underground features in this area.

3. Records relating to the discovery or documentation of tunnels in the 1930s, as referenced in historical accounts.

4. Any recent geophysical surveys conducted on this site, including the survey that identified vaulted hollow spaces beneath the area, along with information about who commissioned this.

5. Any archaeological assessments or heritage reports relating to underground features across this location.

6. Historical planning or development records that reference underground structures in this area.

I am conducting historical research to document pre-tourism Douglas infrastructure

before the upcoming redevelopment of the site, and attempting to preserving knowledge of the area's historical maritime and commercial heritage.

If some of these records are held by other departments or organisations (such as Manx National Heritage/Utilities etc), I would appreciate being directed to the appropriate bodies.

If you require clarification regarding this request, you are welcome to contact me at the email attached to the FOI.

I look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe.

Yours faithfully

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

However, you may wish to contact Douglas City Council who may be able to help you with the first point as we only own Parade Street.

For all the other points, the information you have requested relates to records created prior to 11 October 2011.

Under section 4(1) of the Freedom of Information Act, the Act applies only to information created on or after 11 October 2011. As such, the requested information falls outside the scope of the Act and is not disclosable under FOI.

You may wish to contact the Isle of Man Public Records Office, which may hold historic records relevant to your enquiry or Manx Utilities.

There may also be information on the planning website found here:

Planning & Building Control

Please quote the reference number 5190945 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.