CHIEF Minister Tony Brown has rejected claims made in the House of Keys that government was ill-advised to purchase land a Ballakinnish Nurseries in Braddan for the government ‘landbank’.

However, he declined to describe the decision as “good value” when pressed to explain the thinking behind the £2.7 million purchase of 10.1 acres in February 2006 in the House of keys today.

Onchan MHK Peter Karran said that the land had been purchased even though it was not in an area zoned for development, a point accepted by the Chief Minister.

“Our future plans are for commercial development,” said Mr Brown. “I accept that it is not land currently zoned for development, but that is our intention for the future.”

He added, “As to whether it was good value for money I cannot say. The land would have been purchased, based on advice from professional government valuers. I’m not a valuer.”

Mr Karran further asked if there might be a future review over the methods used by government to value and purchase further land for the landbank.

“There are clear guidelines in place for when government purchases land,” said Mr Brown. “We will always follow those guidelines.”