Rushen MHKs Juan Watterson, Laurence Skelly and Phil Gawne and other members of the Ballakilley Working Party have issued a joint statement in support of the proposed development by Heritage Homes on the Ballakilley site in the Parish of Rushen and on the outskirts of Port Erin.
The Heritage Homes planning application comes after protracted negotiation with the Ballakilley Working Party [BKWP], which includes the Rushen MHKs, and representatives of Rushen Parish Commissioners, Port Erin Commissioners, Port St Mary Commissioners, Rushen Burial Authority, SPort Erin and Southern Nomads Rugby Club.
Rushen Parish Commissioners and the MHKs for the area had previously opposed the Southern Area Plan on the basis that the Ballakilley development would not include a definite promise of recreational facilities for the community. But that appears set to change.
Although the Area Plan for the South does not require it, Heritage Homes and the owners of the land, the Trustees of the Elizabeth Clucas Trust, have given an undertaking that over 17 acres of public space will be provided alongside the proposed residential development. This land will be suitable for sports pitches and associated facilities, a cemetery extension and general recreation use, and will be handed to Rushen Parish Commissioners as soon as practical, and before the completion of the development for public adoption should the application be successful.
In a joint statement, the MHKs said, “Whilst there are more houses proposed than originally expected for this site, we believe that the provision of such a significant recreation space is the result that the community has wanted for so long. We think that the extra housing, which includes 25% sheltered housing and first time buyers housing, is a price worth paying for this much needed facility for the South.”
The MHKs statement continues, "We recognise that people whose houses adjoin the Ballakilley site may have concerns about the direct impact this development may have on them. However, subsequent to Tynwald's approval of the Southern Area Plan, it is inevitable that the site will be developed. We would encourage neighbours of the site to recognise the community benefit of the development and try to work with ourselves and the developer to overcome any concerns they may have over the proposals."
Rushen Parish Commissioners added, “Rushen Parish Commissioners is a very experienced Local Authority, with some long-serving Members and a long serving Clerk, which has, as the Local Authority for the Ballakilley land, worked for nearly 20 years to have some of the land as a recreational area for the south of the Island. They were successful in having the land zoned as ‘recreational’ in the Arbory and East Rushen in 1999 and worked tirelessly through all the stages of the Southern Area Plan to control the amount of residential development and ensure that there was a substantial amount of land for various recreational purposes. The two fields which will be given to Rushen Parish Commissioners will be in very safe and experienced hands and they will ensure that it is used only for the purposes which are given in the Southern Area Plan, i.e. recreation and burial ground extensions, and that this will come about as soon as possible. Nothing can be done until the residential development has eventually been given planning approval and all interested parties will be able to give their views to the Planning Department.”
A spokesman for SPort Erin added, “This is the beginning of the end of a long campaign to secure sports facilities for Southern Nomads Rugby Club, and other sporting ventures in the South of the Island. It is important that we will have a proper home for sport in the South of the Island, which will include training facilities and a club house with parking. This will help us fulfill our ambition of providing sports facilities for people of all ages in the Southern community. We look forward to working with Heritage Homes to develop this vision into a reality.”
Rev. Joe Heaton, Vicar of Rushen Parish also added, “We welcome this plan which will extend the life of the current churchyard by 30-40 years. This is a very timely development and we look forward to working with Rushen Parish Commissioners to develop this area for the benefit of the whole community in Rushen.”
A spokesman for Heritage Homes added, “Heritage Homes Limited is extremely pleased that its extensive dialogue with the Ballakilley Working Party, whose members represent the local community as well as specific interest groups, has resulted in a scheme which the Working Party feels will be of great benefit to the community and one that it can support. It will deliver important homes and community facilities for this part of the Island, which will include affordable housing, sheltered housing and 17 acres of Public Open Space to enable the creation of sports pitches, recreation facilities and a cemetery extension.”
Work will begin shortly with Heritage Homes, Rushen Parish Commissioners, and the Ballakilley Working Party in formalising the agreement.
It is intended that there will be a public exhibition to advertise the plans to the public, and provide an opportunity to ask questions. This should take place in Ballafesson Hall, on the afternoon of Saturday 20th July.
