Most development plan changes backed by government

The majority of changes to the zoning of development land recommended by an independent planning inspector have been backed by the Cabinet Office.

The Area Plan for the North and West outlines spaces that should be earmarked for housing or industrial use, and those to be kept as green spaces in the regions.

The updates included rejecting the inclusion of land at Ramsey's Poyll Dooey for residential development, and the removal of the Jurby Airfield safeguarding zone.

The department has also recommended extra modifications, including revised housing need predications and an emphasis on the development of brownfield sites.

The plan encompasses the towns of Peel and Ramsey, as well as the parishes of German, Patrick, Jurby, Andreas, Bride, Ballaugh, Lezayre and the Maughold ward of Garff.

Views are being sought on the latest modifications in a 10-week consultation.

A government spokesman said any representations and objections would be considered before any further changes were made and adopting the plan.

It would then only be introduced if approved by Tynwald.

A draft was published in 2022 before being significantly altered in March 2024 ahead of a public inquiry in July.

In its overall conclusions, the inspector's report found that draft did "not achieve the requisite general conformity with current Isle of Man strategic planning policy".

However, he stated that it would conform if a raft of major changes outlined in his report were implemented.

Further modifications released by the Cabinet Office include an increase in housing need predictions to reflect potential population growth, and an acknowledgement that the department supports the development of brownfield sites within settlement boundaries, in line with broader government policies.

But the changes also detail plans for the development of some greenfield sites on the outskirts of Peel, including the creation of a "district link road to connect to the A4 Ramsey Road in the north and the A1 Douglas Road in the south".

The updated document also highlights the identification of a preferred site for the delivery of an regional sewage treatment plant in the town to the west of Glenfaba Road, which would also be needed to support any nearby future developments.

The consultation on the proposed modifications is available online until 27 March.

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