Public access to and recreational use of drinking water supply reservoirs and the surrounding land areas are complex and controversial issues. This is mainly due to the inherent conflict between the protection of drinking water supplies and the demands of the public to use land based water supplies and their surroundings for recreational purposes.

The Water and Sewerage Authority is seeking a sound evidence base on which to develop its Recreational Use Policy and as such, is inviting the public to respond to this consultation paper by 5pm on the 9th December 2011

Please see the download available below for more details.

One of the most contentious planning issues that the Isle of Man faces and has to deal with on a regular basis, concerns the replacement or extension of dwellings in the countryside.

In particular many developers and residents alike have sought greater clarity over the interpretation of the relevant housing policies in the Strategic Plan for the Island.

The Government has launched a consultation on a draft planning policy statement which seeks to clarify the planning approach it will apply, and
in particular the interpretation of a number of expressions used in the policies relating to:
• Visual impact
• Measurement of floor area
• Dwelling of poor form
• Building of traditional character
• Traditionally styled dwelling
• Non traditional dwellings
• Poor form
• Inappropriate form

Click on the title for further information and copies of the Draft Planning Policy Statement which can be found in the useful links section.

The Communications Commission is inviting written responses by 11 November 2011 to this consultation paper, which seeks views on how the use of radio frequency spectrum should be managed within the Isle of Man. Spectrum is a key input for the provision of electronic communication services and networks. It is used to provide both mobile and fixed telecommunication services to residential consumers and businesses and it is used to provide both television and radio broadcasting. Radio spectrum is a major asset and the appropriate management of this finite resource is essential to ensure that services using spectrum continue to function and develop. Radio spectrum does not recognise national boundaries and there has to be global agreement on how the airwaves are defined, allocated and used without harmful interference between the various wireless services around the world. Spectrum management by its nature is complex and technical.

The initial consultation period on the Draft Foundations (Continuance) Regulations and Draft Foundations (Winding up) Regulations (“the Regulations”) ran from16 September 2011 to 14 October 2011. The current draft of the Regulations reflects some of the comments raised during the initial consultation. Further comments are being sought during an additional limited two week consultation period.

The initial consultation period on the Draft Foundations (Continuance) Regulations and Draft Foundations (Winding up) Regulations (“the Regulations”) ran from16 September 2011 to 14 October 2011. The current draft of the Regulations reflects some of the comments raised during the initial consultation. Further comments are being sought during an additional limited two week consultation period.