The meeting follows the Group’s AGM which starts at 7:00 pm.

PLANNING – Area Plan for the East

a presentation by
Diane Brown (Head of IOM Planning Policy)
7.30 p.m. Monday 27th March 2017
Manx Legion Club, Market Hill, Douglas
The meeting is free and open to all.

The government wants everyone to be aware of future planning development in the Island.

This is especially so in the Eastern area of the Island where half the population lives - Douglas, Braddan, Onchan, Garff (Laxey & Lonan wards), Marown and Santon.

The built and natural environment is important to us all and it changes over time.

The islands Strategic Plan identified the need for 5,100 additional dwellings over the period 2011 to 2016 of which 2440 were allocated to the East. Some have already been built with other suitable sites being submitted by landowners, builders, developers and government, to be considered for residential, employment, mixed use, community or open spaces.

The next stage is to inform and consult the public where those pockets of land are.

That’s what Diane Brown, Head of Planning Policy will explain at a PAG meeting on the 27th March.

She will also explain the process by which the Area Plan for the East will be finalised. This is targeted for the end of 2019.

Such a plan will give certainty about land use and shape what our island will look like in the future.

A spokesperson for PAG said: “There are 222 sites which have been put forward for zoning for various uses; some within existing towns and settlements and many outside of these defined settlements. It is important that the general public are involved right from the start in the process.

We have invited all Local Authority Commissioners, Douglas Councillors, and the MHKs for the areas covered to attend the meeting. It is particularly important that residents also turn up, but as it effects us all to some degree, members of the public from any part of the Island are most welcome.

Don’t be the person who says, after the event 'I wish I’d known!'

Of particular significance is land classification and re-classification. Do you know how it might affect your property or your business? Do you know for example what ‘white land’ is?”

Following her presentation Ms Brown will answer questions and hear comments from the audience.