A Maughold man has been told he can keep living in a portakabin while his house is being built.

He had applied for permission to keep the temporary buildings at Sea View in Dreemskerry because he said he and his family had nowhere else to go while the work was being completed.

Planning inspector Michael Hurley said he wasn’t convinced the work would be finished by the end of next year, but under the circumstances recommended permission be given.

Initially, the planning committee had turned down a request for the family to live there.

Jason Roberts reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

At the planning appeal, Mr Hurley said although the portakabins were unattractive, he would recommend they be allowed to stay for another year.

However, he warned if they were left in place, it might be difficult to refuse a new application in the future if the building still wasn’t finished.

He said the buildings should be left on-site until the end of January next year.

DLGE Minister John Shimmin agreed and granted temporary permission for the buildings.