A change in Tynwald standing orders prohibited an MHK from calling for a debate on the controversial Westmoreland Village plans.
President of Tynwald Laurence Skelly has confirmed he ruled the motion was out of order after members voted to change the rules the same day to include planning applications under matters that are considered sub judice.
The motion, submitted by Chris Thomas called for a report and debate on regarding the application of strategies and policies for:
i) planning;
ii) affordable housing; and
iii) active travel and parking;
It also called on the government to “lay before Tynwald for approval before signature any proposed Heads of Terms of Legal Agreements for the development of all or part of this Westmoreland Village site”.
Planning
Mr Skelly said: “Both parts of the motion refer to the Westmoreland Village site. This site was, at the time of my determination, the subject of a live planning application.
“Both parts of the motion were therefore in breach of Standing Order 3.11(4).”
The President confirmed the changes to the Standing Orders took immediate effect, meaning that “by the afternoon of Wednesday 16th July, therefore, when the motion at item 29 was reached, it had become out of order”.
Approval was granted for the development by the taxpayer owned Manx Development Corporation, but a condition was added that said it must first own the entire site, which at the time of approval, it didn’t.
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