Action plan to improve the planning system

Overview

The Isle of Man planning system like planning frameworks elsewhere around the British Isles, was designed and is operated to manage development, balancing sometimes competing interests. The broad aim is to develop the Island sustainably and one of the 20 outcomes in the Programme for Government 2016 - 2021 is to:

Have a planning system which supports sustainable growth

In recent months planning system issues have been highlighted in a review carried out by officers for the Council of Ministers, as they were highlighted in two previous reviews:

• The report of the Select Committee on Planning and Building Control (petition for Redress) 2015-16
   
• High Level Strategic Review of Planning in the Isle of Man.

Four policy statements, underpinned by actions and indicators, were set out to guide Government to achieve its planning system outcome:

• Shape and design a planning system informed by recent reviews and consultation
   
• Make it easier for Government’s priorities to be reflected in the way planning applications are considered
   
• Develop a programme for the ongoing monitoring and updating of the Island Development Plan and where appropriate consider bringing forward development land by other mechanisms
   
• Review our processes and desired goals in respect of the conservation of our built environment

The aim now is to address the issues which have been identified, making any changes needed to have an effective planning system which brings with it the right level of regulation and certainty, is proactive not just reactive, and which can clearly demonstrate its value to the public.

Some reforms are clearly necessary. Generally these involve change which is straightforward and which can be brought into effect easily.  Government would like to progress these changes and is telling the public what it proposes to do in coming months.

Implementation of other reform may not be quite so straightforward. For instance change may represent a significant move away from current practice, require legislative amendment, generate differing views from stakeholders, raise more questions and generally require more consideration.

Why your views matter

This is your opportunity to help Government make the right decisions for the planning system and prepare properly to bring these changes into operation. Your views will be helpful whether your experience is of the planning application process, the preparation of a local or area plan or the environment or heritage aspects of our Island.

Some of the key ideas being explored are:

• Enabling Government to bring forward changes in policy more easily (in order to make it easier for Government’s priorities to be reflected in the way planning applications are considered as set out in Programme for Government)
   
• Reviewing our town centre/retail policy to ensure it continues to meet the Island’s current and future needs
   
• Introducing an infrastructure levy for larger applications, so that new development better supports communities and the economy
   
• Using compulsory purchase powers to help enable development
   
• Increasing the use of Permitted Development Orders, for example to make it easier to introduce new telecommunications technology and to simplify changes in the use of buildings

Who should take part?

This consultation is relevant to you if you:

• have an interest in how the Island will be developed
• are likely to be a future applicant
• wish to comment on applications
• have monitored the progress of a local or area plan
• have an interest in heritage and conservation. 

What happens next

Thank you to everyone who took the time to make comments and give us your detailed thoughts. We appreciate that this is a detailed consultation, and that a lot of time and effort has been put into each submission.

We have considered all of the comments, and prepared a summary report which is available to download.

Some of you have asked for your submissions to be made public, and they will soon be made available on the Consultation Hub. Everyone who has asked that their submission not be made public will have their wishes respected.

Informed by the consultation feedback, Proposals to Reform the Planning System will be presented to Tynwald in May 2018.