Children in Onchan are celebrating after planners gave the go-ahead for new 'pirate style' play equipment to be used at the Birch Hill playground.

Onchan Commissioners were initially told it did not require permission to replace old equipment at the site and subsequently had it installed.

But, after one resident objected, the Department of Local Government reconsidered its position and the local authority had to submit an application.

As a result, the playground, next to Ashley Avenue, was fenced off until the matter was resolved.

Nearly 200 children and adults signed a petition to keep the area open and planners have now approved the application.


(Pictured: Part of Birch Hill from the air)