Plans for 320 homes and school given green light

Plans for a 320-home estate and primary school can be progress after appeals against the development were rejected by the Isle of Man's environment minister.

The application for a 76-acre (31-hectare) site across a number of fields east of Braddan Road was first submitted by Hartford Homes in 2022.

The local authority and a group of nearby homeowners had raised objections about traffic issues, the housing mix, air quality and the loss of agricultural land, leading to two appeals.

However, Clare Barber MHK ruled both appeals should be dismissed and the planning committee's January decision to back the plans upheld subject to conditions.

The green field site between Kirk Braddan Cemetery and Douglas Rugby Club is zoned for the building of homes, with the developer proposing a new access junction is built on Braddan Road.

Of the new homes, 80 would be classed as affordable with a mixture of properties ranging from two to six-bedroom houses to bungalows.

The plans, which were amended to remove the inclusion of a 68-bed care home, also include a nursery and neighbourhood centre.

When appealing the development, the Braddan Commissioners also raised concerns about flooding and drainage, and the impact of additional traffic on existing properties on the TT access road during road closures.

But Hartford Homes previously said the plans would help meet the need for new houses on the island, and the construction work would support up to 150 jobs and see about £100m invested in the project.

The development can now progress providing a total of 37 conditions are met, including the designation of retail units within the community hub as shops or food outlets only.

Nearby pavements and a bus stop must be improved, a signal-controlled crossing on Peel Road must be installed, and cycle storage for homes without garages must also be provided.

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook, and X? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]