Inspector’s Report Published on Draft Area Plan

The Draft North and West Area Plan has been approved for formal adoption by an independent planning inspector, following a number of recommendations.

Inspector Brian Sims requested that the Jurby Airfield safeguarding zone be removed from the plan and is instead included in the airport masterplan.

He said the airfield zoning caused a ‘strong adverse reaction’ from the community, both within and outside the inquiry who were ‘unaware’ of any proposal to extend the runway.

The masterplan for Ronaldsway would recognise the ‘strategic importance’ of Jurby airfield as a potential contingency to the airport but this is yet to be formally assessed.

Draft Area Plan

Land at Poyll Dooey was also rejected because its ‘not appropriate’ based on inquiry evidence, whilst there would be no allocations for leisure facilities as this would need resources from companies to develop.

A planning application in principle was recently approved by the planning committee but the inspector said based on the evidence available to him at the inquiry – he wouldn’t allocate it for residential use.

Mr Sims also said in his report that it’s clear the draft plan ‘fails by a long margin’ to meet the numerical standards of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 for sports pitches and play space.

He recommended that the Cabinet Office put forward ‘clear commitments’ to speak with interested parties.

Mr Sims concluded the report saying it didn’t meet the Strategic Plan but the Cabinet Office should take on the recommendations.

The full report can be found here.

What Now?

The Cabinet Office is currently considering the inspector’s detailed report and may adopt the plan with, or without, modifications.

Where the Cabinet Office proposes to adopt the plan with modifications, details of these changes will be published and the Cabinet Office will seek representations and objections.

The plan may only come into operation after being adopted by the Cabinet Office, and if the adoption approved by Tynwald.

There will be a further update towards the end of November.