Isle of Man planners gear up for growth

The Isle of Man is ramping up its planning efforts to drive economic development and meet housing need. 

Head of planning policy Diane Brown told Planning: “There is a big drive to push economic development and housing on the island.

“We have a strategic plan to 2026 that has just come put of public inquiry and we need to get on with area plans.

“This will give us more certainty on where we want to be with numbers of households, but there's also shortage of employment land.”

Last month the island's housing division submitted an application for 51 new public-sector homes in Ballasalla. The scheme is part of a big investment in the Clagh Vane estate by the government.

The Isle of Man government is looking to recruit a planning policy officer to support the planning policy function of the strategy, policy and performance division.

Brown said: “This will involve the preparation of and implementation of strategic and area plans and other planning policy documents.”

She said the government would consider graduates looking for their break into planning as well as more experienced planning officers.

The Isle of Man has a population of nearly 85,000 and port towns including the capital Douglas and Ramsey (pictured).

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