Public consultation launched on town centre planning

Thu, 06 Feb 2020

Isle of Man Government has launched a public consultation on changes to planning which aim to tackle climate change and help enhance the Island’s town centres.

 

Officials said that permitted development rights are an automatic grant of planning approval, which allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out, without the need for a planning application to be made.

 

During the eight-week consultation, IOM Government will seek people’s views on these proposed changes.

 

The first part of the consultation focusses on minor alterations to existing sites and buildings, outside of conservation areas, which could help to reduce carbon emissions, including:

 

• Air source heat pump
• Electric vehicle charging points
• Replacement conservatory roofs
• Solar panels 
• Bicycle shelters in schools
• Some house extensions

 

The Isle of Man Government recently published two reports - an independent report by Professor James Curran on climate change and an Isle of Man Government Action Plan for Achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2050 – the first phase of which was approved in January’s sitting of Tynwald.

 

Part two of the consultation proposes amendments to the changes of use which are allowed as permitted development.

 

They include expanding some of the town and village centre areas defined by current legislation for changes of use; and clarifying what is required in relation to windows where it is proposed to change the use of part of a building to a flat.

 

Chris Thomas MHK, Minister for Policy and Reform said: ‘This change would be important for urban redevelopment and be a positive measure to help improve the vitality of, and activity in, many of our town and village centres.

 

‘When I took the permitted development change of use order through Tynwald in November 2019, I committed that the order would be reviewed after it was in place. I hope local authorities and all those affected in any way will take part in this important consultation.’

 

The details can be found at the Consultation Hub and the closing date for comments is 30th March 2020.

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