A public meeting this month will outline the scope and organisation of a public inquiry into plans for future development in the east of the Island.
A pre inquiry meeting open to all will be held on Thursday 18 July at 9:30am at the iMuseum in Kingswood Grove, Douglas. The venue is next to the Manx Museum.
Present at the meeting will be independent planning inspector Mike Hurley who will chair the Public Inquiry into the Area Plan for the East, due to open on 9 September 2019. Mr Hurley will set out how he intends to conduct the inquiry and take evidence, but the meeting is not an occasion to discuss the merits of the draft plan.
Minister for Policy and Reform Chris Thomas said:
'Many submissions will be made and a large volume of documents will be considered at the public inquiry, so this meeting will be a useful opportunity for members of the public to find out how it will work and to ask questions.
'The formality of an independent public inquiry means that procedures are closely followed, with great attention to detail. The pre inquiry meeting is a chance to hear about these procedures and discuss the programme for evidence. The Inspector will encourage those with broadly similar views and submissions, to work together to present their case.'
The draft Area Plan contains proposals and recommendations for the future use and development of land in the borough of Douglas, the district of Onchan, and the parishes of Braddan, Garff (Laxey and Lonan wards), Marown and Santon.
Compilation of the draft plan began with a call for sites and included a preliminary publicity consultation and gathering of other evidence - all of which have helped shape the draft plan.
Mr Hurley, who has wide experience considering planning matters in the UK and the Isle of Man, will present his findings and recommendations to the Cabinet Office, and his report will be made public.
All members of the public and interested parties are welcome to attend the pre-inquiry meeting and the public inquiry, the venue and timetable for which will be confirmed in due course.
