Jurby residents ready to fight back against airport proposals

Community living under runway-shaped cloud

Residents in Jurby whose homes fall within the boundaries of a potential future airport site say they're ready to fight back against any proposals.

Earlier this month a map was discovered as part of the Public Inquiry into the Draft Area Plan for the North and West.

It showed where, in the future, a site the size of Liverpool John Lennon Airport could be created, extending the current Jurby Airfield runway by 2.5km.

Residents Fern Callister, Vicki Wade, Andy Brew and Christine Brew say the plans have been kept quiet and have now 'totally blindsided them'.

They've been speaking to Manx Radio:

If the land is required, government can obtain it via Compulsory Purchase Orders.

Vicki Wade, whose home falls under the proposed runway site, fears what will happen to the time and money invested in their property should the plans get the go-ahead:

Tamzyn Cormode and her husband own a pig farm in the area:

Manx Radio has approached the Cabinet Office to respond to claims the map in question had been kept secret for twelve months before its inclusion in the draft area plan.

In the Cabinet Office's Position Statement on the Draft North and West Area Plan, published on 28 June, the department states:

'During the Draft Plan consultation, the Department of Infrastructure noted that further information on the importance of Jurby Airfield would be forthcoming.

'Subsequently, the Airports Division of Department of Infrastructure then provided data on the areas to which it would be desirable to safeguard for future airport use. Although this is not currently a commercial airport it is desirable in the long term to protect it for future use as a national airport should it be required. 

'No development should be allowed in this area which would permanently prejudice the use of Jurby Airfield as a national Airport in the future including areas around the approach and transitional surfaces.

'Any planning application which is received within this safeguarded area will require consultation with the Airport Division to check that development will not impede the safeguarding of this area under Transport and Utilities Proposals 5.'

Jurby Parish Commissioners is hosting a public meeting on this matter on 12 August at Jurby Parish Hall.

It’s understood Airport Director Gary Cobb, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan, Enterprise Minister Tim Johnson and the Cabinet Office Minister Kate Lord-Brennan have been invited to attend. 

'Our property values will dive.' - Vicki Wade.

You can listen to the full interviews via the Manx Radio Newscast below: