A world-renowned watchmaker, whose clients include “heads of state” and top financiers, is seeking planning permission to maintain “a unique and very important industry for the island”.
The workshop produces between 15 and 20 luxury timepieces a year. Some take over two years to build and have sold for as high as $4.9m.
Roger W. Smith, based in Sulby, is looking for retrospective planning permission for a 25-space car park that was built originally without planning permission.
The car park is on the Claddagh Farm site off the A3.
A previous application of the same nature was rejected due to concerns about protecting the island’s countryside, visual landscape, and productive agricultural land.
The latest application, submitted by agent Penketh-Millar, sets out to address these concerns while pointing to the value the firm brings to the island.
It argues that the car park is an essential part of the customer experience for a business that brings “significant financial benefits to the Island”.
Around four visits are made to the site by clients a month. High-end accommodation is provided for the visitors who include “heads of state, leading figures in global finance and technology, together with some of the world’s most prominent private collectors.”
The applications continues: “Many of our visitors experience the Isle of Man for the first time through their relationship with our business, and the impression they take away extends far beyond our premises.
“In many respects, our business acts as an ambassador for the island, demonstrating that the Isle of Man can deliver world-class products, facilities and experiences.”
The application also emphasised the watchmaking firm’s contribution to the island’s economy and diplomatic interests at no expense to the taxpayer.
Smith moved to the island in 1998 to work with George Daniels who worked on the Isle of Man and was considered to be one of the greatest horologists of all time.
Daniels passed away in 2011 and bequeathed his workshop to Smith. Smith started his own watchmaking business which moved to Sulby in the mid-2010s.