Planning guidance for key sites within the Government’s Lower Douglas Master Plan have been finalised and approved by the Department following a public consultation.
 
The six-week consultation, coordinated by the Planning & Building Control Division of the Department of Infrastructure,  took place in May and June this year.
 
Following publication in early October of a summary of responses to the consultation, the Interim Planning Guidance for Key Town Centre Sites in Douglas has been completed and approved by the Department.
 
Howard Quayle, DoI Political Member with responsibility for Planning & Building Control, said: ‘The Interim Planning Guidance document forms the basis for the Department’s vision of creating a key gateway area to Douglas and the Island, based around the ‘Middlemarch’ site, Lord Street and North Quay.   The Guidance will be used as a policy document to assist in determining planning applications made within that area.
 
‘The consultation saw submissions received from Government Departments, developers, stakeholders, Local Authorities and members of the public, so it drew a good cross-section of views on a wide range of issues.
 
‘It must be noted that the Interim Planning Guidance has been produced in advance of work on the Area Plan for the East, and as such it provides an interim statement on planning policy for the area, prior to its eventual incorporation within the Area Plan for the East.’
 
Mr Quayle added: ‘The revised guidance has been inspired by feedback received during the consultation process, and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the consultation and provide us with such invaluable observations.’
 
The Interim Planning Guidance can be viewed at http://www.gov.im/transport/ConsultationDetail.gov?id=320. Alternatively, it can be viewed at Planning & Building Control Division, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas, IM1 2SF.