MHK queries need for additional planning experts

Fri, 17 Jun 2016

Concerns have been raised that an external planning advisor is being used to overrule the advice of independent planning inspectors.

Onchan MHK Peter Karran raised the issue in the House of Keys this week - he wanted to know why the Council of Ministers uses the advisor when making decisions on planning appeals.

He was told CoMIN relies on reports provided by the inspector and legal advice from the Attorney General but there are cases when further advice is needed.

However Chief Minister Allan Bell said that process is used 'extremely rarely' where the plans have an 'economic implication':