Rushen MHKs Juan Watterson, Laurence Skelly and Phil Gawne have issued a cautious welcome to the 106 page Inspector’s Report on the Southern Area Plan. This latest stage in the lengthy process of developing an Area Plan for the South was published on 17th February and represents an important milestone in progress towards the final plan. Copies of the Report are available to download from the Department’s website at www.gov.im/transport/planning/plan/southernplan and are available to view and purchase for £6 from Planning at Murray House.
As a former Chairman of the Planning Committee, Juan Watterson MHK understands the difficulties associated with developing planning policy and the inevitable complexity which flows from that. “The process we have for developing Area Plans has been incredibly lengthy, to ensure that everyone has their voice heard. It is, therefore, unsurprising that the Inspector’s Report is long and detailed, a quite difficult to follow for the untrained reader. While the Report appears not to be too contentious there is little doubt in my mind that we need to revise the process to allow for much speedier completion of the Area Plans. A final resolution to the Ballakilley issue after over a decade of talks is most welcome.”
Laurence Skelly MHK is keen to see part of the Ballakilley land zoned for self-build housing plots. “The Report seems to support modest development on the Ballakilley land which should allow for some self-build housing as well as considerable recreational space. We will clearly have to wait and see what, if anything, the Department now chooses to modify as a result of the Inspector’s comments, but it does appear that the final Plan will offer a positive step forward for the communities in and around Rushen.”
Former Planning Minister Phil Gawne MHK cautiously welcomed the Inspector’s Report. “It is not always obvious whether the Inspector is recommending change or just noting what was said at the Planning Inquiry, so it is difficult to be clear as to the Inspector’s conclusions. That said I feel the Inspector has made some positive statements in favour of retaining a substantial part of the Ballakilley land as open space or for recreational use. I very much hope that the Department sticks to its original stance on this contentious area as there was a very strong reaction from the local community against substantial development on this site.”
The next step in the process is for the Department of Infrastructure to review the plan and recommend whatever modifications to the Plan it thinks necessary. These modifications will then be published and further public comment sought before the final plan is submitted to Tynwald for approval.
