Inquiry hears evidence for the future of leisure facilities in the north

Sports pitches, the needs of Kirk Michael and children's play areas were raised as key issues

Open space, recreation, health and community facilities were the key debates as the northern leg of the public inquiry into the Draft North and West Area Plan concluded.

Representatives from local sports clubs, commissioners and charities were among those in attendance.

Neil Cowley from the Western Vikings Rugby Club started proceedings by explaining that his club is based in Peel and believes that there is not enough land being designated under the area plan for sports facilities.

Mr Cowley felt there had been a reduction in the land zoned as open space and explained that his calculations meant the provision didn’t meet the targets set by the Cabinet Office itself.

Ramsey Football Club chairman Jonathon Leece said he came to the inquiry to ask Inspector Brian Sims to ensure there is enough open space which could be used for sports fields to provide facilities for children and young people.

Mr Leece is currently trying to use Lickney Fields for his club, but has hit stumbling blocks from the Department of Education, Sport and Culture:

Also on the agenda was the needs of Kirk Michael and commissioner for the area Carole Lillywhite has been at the inquiry for the last week representing her residents.

She said during the inquiry she would like the plan to support the village and protect what amenities they do still have:

At the end of the session David Bellamy from the Manx Wildlife Trust raised queries about the maps which had been used as part of the inquiry documents.

His first point was an active travel path had been drawn along Sulby Riverside on a vegetation reed bed, which he said isn’t land and would have to be redrawn.

He also raised a query about the land zoned around Jurby Airfield – he calculated there was an extra 2.5km proposed to be added onto the runway which would cut through residential houses and farmland.

The Cabinet Office responded by saying it would make Jurby the size of an international airport somewhere between Liverpool and Manchester - no reason was given to the Inspector for this zoning.