The Department of Infrastructure is seeking public views on modifications to the Area Plan for the South.
David Cretney MHK, Minister for Infrastructure, confirmed that the Department intends to adopt the Modified Draft of the Area Plan after reviewing the Inspector’s Report into the Plan. However, this can only happen once the public has had the chance to give their views on the changes.
Welcoming the publication of the Plan, Howard Quayle, MHK, Departmental Member for Planning described it as an ‘important milestone’ towards the final adoption of the Area Plan.
The Inspector supported the majority of the Department’s proposed changes published in December 2011. However, his report recommended that further consideration be given to:
Providing a more equitable spread of housing in the Castletown area (which would require a reassessment of the potential sites around the town, including those at Great Meadow and Knock Rushen).
Ensuring the best possible use and density on allocated sites, commensurate with the location.
Developing a programme for the design and implementation of a new Ballasalla Bypass; and
Ensuring sufficient future land supply for business park uses in the South
Howard Quayle said ‘The Department acknowledges that further work is required in relation to housing allocations in the Castletown Area. However, it has decided not to carry out a review of the housing allocation around Castletown at this late stage of the process. Instead, the intention is to carry out a partial review of the housing allocation, should the Area Plan receive final approval from Tynwald’.
David Cretney explained: ‘The Plan includes a stronger reference to density, stating that the Department will ensure that development on a site will make best use of the available land and seek to optimise the number of dwellings on it. This should not be seen as an opportunity to maximise every site, but a more considered approach to ensuring that best use is made of a site.
Referring to the land south east of Ballasalla, David Cretney said: ‘Although the Inspector was seeking to secure the immediate provision for the Ballasalla Bypass, we will be retaining this site as a Strategic Reserve. This will allow us to assess the future of the site and the requirement for the bypass at the time of any release of the Strategic Reserve Sites allocated in the Plan, and the future partial review of allocations in Castletown.’
‘In recognition of the need to ensure sufficient high quality land is made available for employment purposes, the Department can confirm an immediate release of land for business park uses only adjacent to the existing Ronaldsway Business Park. This will see an additional 8.8 hectares available for Business Park uses.
David Cretney added: ‘The Inspector recommended that it may be appropriate to seek above the normal 25% affordable housing rate on some sites, but recognised that a number of matters, such as affordable housing, could only be satisfactorily dealt with at the Strategic Plan Review. We have acknowledged these comments and have decided that any review on the provision of affordable housing will be considered as part of the partial review of the Strategic Plan.
‘Low-density housing in parkland was another area covered, and it was recommended that there should be no new sites allocated in the Area Plan and that the issue, as well as that for “high net worth individuals” generally, should be the subject of debate and assessment. This work is presently underway. We have accepted this recommendation and this matter will now be considered as part of the partial review of the Strategic Plan.’
In accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1999, as from 7th June 2012, the Department invites representations on the proposed modifications only. Representations must be submitted on the Response Form and received by 4.30pm on Friday, 29th June 2012 at the Planning Division’s Offices in Murray House, Douglas.
The Area Plan for the South can be viewed from 7th June on the Department of Infrastructure website http://www.gov.im/transport/planning/plan/southernplan.xml. Alternatively, copies can be viewed or purchased from the Planning Office, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas.
Michael Gallagher, Director of Planning & Building Control said: ‘If no objections are received to the proposed modifications, the Department of Infrastructure will adopt the Area Plan in its current format. If there are objections, the Department will determine whether it can make additional changes, after which the Plan will be adopted. It will then go to the Council of Ministers, before being placed before Tynwald for approval. If Tynwald supports it, the Plan will officially be published and come into force.’
