Tynwald has voted to reject the Area Plan for the North and West after significant opposition was raised by MHKs and MLCs.
The controversial plan zones land in the north and west of the island and sets out how much development can be expected in those areas.
While it was narrowly passed by MHKs 13-11, it was overwhelmingly voted down by MLCs 1-6.
During the opening of the lengthy debate, Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford said: “Let me begin plainly, if this plan is not approved today, the north and west will be left without an up to date planning framework.”
He acknowledged the plan would see “some fields built on,” but argued the sites were carefully selected from over 200 originally assessed.
“Yes, to take forward this plan, we will lose some of the green, but dare to think what this will give us in return, new neighbourhoods for our residents to call homes.”
Following the vote, Mr Ashord asked for a combined vote to be taken at the next sitting in November. However, with the numbers below, the government would currently lose that too, unless MLCs can be swayed…
Opposition
There was significant opposition towards the plan from members including Kate Lord-Brennan, who branded the plan “flawed” and would “detrimentally affect our green and pleasant lands”.
She also criticised the government for “facilitating” development without providing necessary infrastructure or public services and said: “A vote for this plan is really a vote for developers. A vote for this plan is a vote for green fields to disappear.”
Ms Lord-Brennan also dismissed the fear that not voting for the plan would be detrimental, saying it would change nothing.
Gary Clueit MLC said despite being a supporter of house building, he thought the plan allocates large swathes of greenfield land for housing but fails to provide commensurate employment land or infrastructure.
“The core flaw with this area plan, however, is simply homes without nearby jobs or infrastructure,” he said.
Support
There was however significant support for the plan from, amongst others, minister Daphne Caine, who told members that it is clear more housing is needed on the island.
She said: “”Planning matters, in my experience, are often the most divisive issues facing our community every week, neighbour against neighbour in towns and villages, the best way we have to protect us all from unregulated development is through area plans. That is the system we have.”
Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper said he could see both sides of the debate, but was minded to support it as it contained tangible benefits for his constituency, particularly through brownfield regeneration and specific protections.
He said: “Ramsey, we get a comprehensive treatment area that covers the main part of the town that needs to be redeveloped and actually that will help loosen planning requirements and restrictions and make it easier for people to redevelop on those brownfield sites.”
Mr Hooper also praised the way that the plan “adds another layer of protection to the South Beach”.
You can hear the full debate on the Tynwald website.