Onchan Commissioners pilot street lighting scheme 'under budget'

However further schemes could add four pence to next year's rates

Onchan Commissioners were joined by a new commissioner at their meeting last night – following the by-election which was held last week.

Also on the agenda was a planning application to build a house on the site of the Groudle Glen Hotel, an update on the street lighting scheme and the relocation of a war memorial.  

A formal declaration of acceptance was completed by newly elected commissioner Dr Scott Wilson who will now serve on the board until next April – a post of five months.

An update was provided about the commissioner’s street lighting scheme - with one trial scheme completed under budget.

A ‘pilot’ was undertaken in Onchan Park and around Hague Drive which had a budget of £58,616.68 but cost the local authority just over £53,386.32 to complete.

It’s also expecting the trial to save them nearly £400 on electricity charges per year.

Another ‘pilot’ scheme is being carried out in Governors Road which is 70 percent complete and has an estimated budget of £133,595 but the commissioners believe this will come in under budget.

This scheme is predicted to save the local authority around £800 on electricity charges.

The new lights are left on all night but are gradually dimmed during the night and are expected to reduce carbon emissions.

A further four schemes are due to be carried out around the village which the commissioners agreed unanimously to add to the budget setting process for next year.

This could add an extra four pence to the general rate to cover the cost of the new street lights.

Another item which sparked debate between the board was a planning application on the site of the Groudle Glen Hotel.

The owner wants to demolish the toilet block and use the existing car park to build a house.

Objections were included from the Groudle Glen Railway group, Department of Infrastructure Highways and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

These ranged from the development potentially ruining the ‘historical’ heritage of the area, parking issues and the fact that no bat survey had been carried out.

Commissioner David Quirk suggested the commissioners support the application so that something could be done with the area.

However, the rest of the board were in disagreement – with Vice-Chair Robin Turton saying the application should be left to planning and government to decide.

The board agreed unanimously to object to the planning application.

Onchan Commissioners will next meet on Monday 2 December.