How to comment on planning applications
How do I find out if an application has been submitted?
To find out if an application has been submitted see our Find Applications page.
To find out how to view the details see our View Applications page.
When can I comment?
Comments are accepted up to the point at which the application is determined. The Department cannot determine an application until the 21 days publicity has expired (the 21 days following publication of the weekly list and display of the site notice). Therefore, if you comment during the 21 day publicity period you can be sure we will take account of your comments. If you comment after the 21 day period, there is the risk that we may have already determined the application and so be unable to take your comment into account.
What should I include in my comments?
When commenting on an application, please consider the following points.
- Be Clear – It is important to state which planning application your comments relate to, therefore include the reference number, site address and description in your response
- Be Factual - All comments should be based on fact, and therefore, it is important that you view the plans for the proposed development before submitting your comments
- Relate to Planning – Only comments which relate to planning issues (known as “Material Considerations”) can be taken into account. If in doubt, it is better to put all your concerns down, and let the Case Officer work out which are material than to miss something out which could in fact be material. See Material Considerations
- Relate to the Proposal - Only comments which relate to the relevant planning application can be taken into account
- Explain if and how it impacts on your property – Anyone can comment. However if you feel that a proposal will impact on your property, it is helpful to explain how (including the relationship between your property and the application site). This is particularly important if you wish to be considered for Interested Person Status. See Interested Person
- Fully set out your concerns – Comments which simply indicate support or objection will normally carry little weight. It is therefore important that you clarify why you support or object to a proposal. Please note that for applications submitted on or after the 1 January 2020 third party appeals must include a reason which relates to issues which you have included in representations made prior to the application being determined
- Your information - Please be aware that anonymous submissions will not be considered. It is important to include your name, postal address and contact details (please note that if an email address is provided, we will assume that you are happy to receive further correspondence in that format)
How can I submit my comments?
Representations must be made in writing, should quote the application reference number, application site and proposal. They can be made:
- Online – via the Government Online Services
- By letter – to Planning and Building Control Directorate, Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas, Isle of Man , IM1 2SF
- By email – to planning@gov.im
The Department has produced an optional form, which you may find helpful to use in submitting your comments (although you are not required to use it). This is available in the downloadable documents box as a fillable PDF. For Chrome or Safari users, please view this form in Adobe Reader or Internet Explorer, or download it to your computer before completing it.
What happens to my comments?
Any comment submitted as part of a planning consideration is publically available (normally we will redact your name, phone number and e-mail address). Comments will not only remain available as part of the permanent record of the paper file but also in our public archive which is available online through our website. The Directorate has a Privacy Policy which may be viewed at Privacy Policy.
Representations made will be processed as part and alongside the assessment of the application. Any questions raised within the comment submitted will be taken into account by the Case Officer in their report and will not usually be responded to individually.
When compiling their report, the case officer will include a recommendation on who should be granted the right to lodge an appeal against the decision (be granted Interested Person Status).
Redactions
The Department endeavours to consider all representations for appropriateness before placing them on public record/ the application file. In carrying out such consideration the Department retains the right to use its discretion to redact any comment or information it considers to be inflammatory, offensive or infringing GDPR obligations and/or inappropriate to the planning process. This scrutiny may take up to 48 hours before the submitted comment will appear in the public forum, placed on the application file and uploaded to our online service.
Historic records have not been redacted, however private representation has been redacted of personal information since June 1 2019. If you wish planning representation content prior to 1 June 2019 to be considered for redaction please contact planning@gov.im
If redaction beyond name/contact information is to be applied the sender will be notified.
If you wish to report that an application or representation breaches personal data regulations please contact planning@gov.im in the first instance. The Department will thereafter conduct a risk assessment on the balance of customer rights, legal obligation and the wider public interest. Based on the results of this assessment we may then redact the information. Where any redaction is carried out the sender will be notified.
