EDUCATION and Children Minister Peter Karran MHK answered a series of questions about the Kirk Michael School land exchange agreement in the House of Keys yesterday (Tuesday).
Michael MHK Alf Cannan tabled a number of questions relating to the issue.
He wanted to know the reasons for the department entering into the agreement with Heritage Homes and Pinecrest Investments, whether it would be made a public document and the consultation process involved.
Mr Cannan also wanted to know whether the department was aware part of the land exchange was designated a conservation area and whether there would be a substantial increase in health and safety risks to the children from increased traffic.
Mr Karran explained the reasons for the agreement.
He said: "Through purchasing properties in Douglas Road the developers had secured an alternative means of access to the zoned land.
"The land is zoned for predominately residential use and it is unlikely that the department would be able to block residential development.
"The department needed to act promptly as there was the strong potential of development up to our existing rear boundary and we needed to protect the future of the school."
He added negotiations with the landowner and developer to buy additional land at the rear if they secured planning permission could have cost half a million to £1m and the loss of the accommodation works.
He said the agreement represents a good arrangement for the department and it has secured an additional 1.38 acres of land at the school, the provision of a sports pitch and new hard play area and land to the north of the school for future classroom development.
Mr Karran added the arrangement is subject to planning approval being obtained for residential development of land behind the school.
A covenant will prevent the development of more than 100 homes on the zoned land.
He said the agreement was private between the three parties but added the side of the department's agreement is in the public domain and he would check out whether the other sides of the agreement could be made public.
Douglas North MHK John Houghton asked Mr Karran whether the scheme, which was agreed while Eddie Teare was the minister of the department, had his 'unequivocal support'.
Mr Karran said: "The contracts have been signed and we have to honour the contracts" adding "whether I support ir or not is immaterial.
"I feel the (previous) minister has done the job in good faith."
Ayre MHK Mr Teare - who is now the Treasury minister - said the commissioners, school staff and school governors were all in favour of the scheme and said government should not be adverse to maximising returns on government assets and this represented a good deal for the taxpayer.
Mr Cannan said in August more than 100 people attended a public meeting and the vast majority were against the development.
He said that more than 85 letters had been sent in against the proposal including a letter of concern from the commissioners.
Mr Karran replied that he knew the scheme had received support from one commissioner who said that the 100 people represented seven per cent of the residents in the area.
He said the department was aware part of the land in question was designated a conservation area by Tynwald in 2006 but said this was an issue that would be considered at due course at the planning stage.
In terms of the health and safety issue Mr Karran said the the accommodation works would see the playing field and playground relocating to the rear of the school with secure fenced areas, away from the current location at the side of the school, which is closer to the main road and school driveway.
"This has every indication of being a safer location for the school children.
"The proposed traffic light controlled junction at the Douglas Road corner will make the junction of the A3 Main Road, with the A4 Peel Coast Road much safer than it currently is."
