Application for 153 new homes in Ramsey recommended for approval

Planning committee to make a decision next week

An application to build more than 150 new homes in the north of the Island has been recommended for approval.

The planning committee will make a decision on Hartford Homes' proposals for Vollan Fields in Ramsey on Monday.

If given the go-ahead, the application will see Hartford Homes build 153 new properties, with a mix of terraces, semi-detached and bungalows.

Once constructed, 114 properties would be sold on the open market, with the remaining 39 listed as affordable properties.

The development would also include parking, bike storage, a nursery and approval in principle for the future construction of a new primary school.

A number of organisations made submissions as part of the planning process, including the area's local authority Ramsey Town Commissioners.

It raised concern over the impact the development could have on the town's infrastructure, as well as demand for doctors and dentists.

Manx Care also flagged the impact on dentistry, stating "the construction of additional properties in the north will place additional demand on local NHS dental services which we will struggle to accommodate based on our current budgetary allocation."

The planning inspector confirmed the impact on health services is becoming a common theme within planning applications, but there is no specific planning policy that deals with the matter.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's Environmental Protection team expressed concerns about a noise protection order placed on a business adjacent to the site, and the difficulties it could have enforcing that order if residential development is approved.

The strain the development could put on schools in the area was highlighted by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, which said it would need to increase capacity if the project is approved, adding "The Isle of Man Government and Treasury must support such new educational development if new residential development is to be approved."

If approved, the construction will be subject to 37 conditions covering a range of issues, including drainage and flood risk, the ecological impact of the development, and the need to include active travel options.