THE Department of Infrastructure has said 85 per cent of planning applications submitted in the Isle of Man have been approved since January.

Figures released by the department show 1,217 applications have been approved since the start of the year.

77 per cent of these applications, between July 1 and September 30, have been approved within eight weeks.

As a comparison the number of applications approved in the whole of 2010 was 89.5 per cent with 1,625 applications being approved.

David Quirk MHK, the chairman of the Planning Committee, said: "Many people express strong views about planning in the Isle of Man yet few actually realise how many planning applications are approved and how quickly those decisions are made.
 
"Planning is playing a strong and proactive role in supporting our economy - protecting our environment and heritage and enabling the Isle of Man to continue to flourish."

Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK added: "This is another example of how the government's planners are continuing to help to stimulate the Manx economy and provide a welcome boost to the local construction industry.

"The challenge now for government and the private sector is to improve the quality of new developments. 
 
"High quality developments can provide a long lasting positive stimulus to economic growth and quality of life - helping to give the Island that competitive advantage whilst maintaining our Manx distinctiveness."

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