A review of the Island’s Strategic Plan is being prepared to set out a clear direction on key issues and lay a solid foundation for the production of the remaining Area Plans.
 
With the Area Plan for the South nearing completion, the Planning and Building Control Division of the Department of Infrastructure intends to focus on the Strategic Plan to ensure it is fit for purpose and capable of achieving the sustainable development required to meet the needs of the Island.
 
Howard Quayle MHK, Political Member with responsibility for Planning and Building Control, explained: ‘Our original thinking was, once the Area Plan for the South was finished, to move on to the Area Plan for the East. However, given that we now have the results of the 2011 Census, we are reaching the point when we need to update certain key elements of the Strategic Plan. By reviewing the Strategic Plan at this stage, it will also help us lay a stronger foundation for the preparation of the remaining Area Plans.’
 
While the Strategic Plan is being reviewed, the Department of Infrastructure will continue preliminary work on the preparation of the Area Plan for the East.
 
Mr Quayle said: ‘The resolution of many key issues within the Strategic Plan will expedite the production of the Area Plans, and by continuing the preliminary work on the Area Plan for the East it will ensure that there is a robust evidence base on which to prepare the Plan.’
 
Ahead of the preparation of the Area Plan, the Department has recently consulted on interim draft planning guidance for the Lower Douglas Area, which aims to clarify the planning framework in relation to this area of Douglas with a view to encouraging regeneration and investment.
 
Minister for Infrastructure David Cretney MHK said: ‘We are conscious that this review needs to be undertaken in a timely manner, but it is also important that the public have a chance to have their say. We will scrutinise the current Strategic Plan policies with a view to publishing, in early 2013, a list of those parts of the Plan which we believe should be the focus of the review and will seek representations from the public on these. Following this, a Draft Strategic Plan will be produced which will also be open to public consultation.’