A number of changes designed to improve the Isle of Man’s planning system will be introduced on 1 January 2020.
The changes will affect anyone wishing to submit or comment on an application or appeal a decision.
The New Year will bring the introduction of minor change applications, the need to submit flood risk assessments at the outset in flood zones, reasons for a valid appeal, fees for requesting an inquiry and the ability to submit applications electronically – which will be introduced after successful testing.
Amendments to the website provide guidance to applicants www.gov.im/planningapply.
The website has also been amended to provide more accessible guidance for those people wishing to comment on applications.
A service which lets people sign up to receive notifications by email of new applications in their area is also now available.
Geoffrey Boot, MHK, Minister for Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, said:
‘The changes have been introduced as part of the Programme for Government’s commitment to improve the planning system and are part of the Action Plan to reform the planning system’.
January will also see the introduction of two new ‘Permitted’ Development Orders, one relates to town centre uses and provides for additional flexibility, the other amends the existing Telecoms Order providing greater clarity around the processing of telecoms development and requiring full applications for larger masts.
If you want to keep up to date with changes you can sign up to a mailing list by sending a request and preferred email address to planning@gov.im
