Ramsey Commissioners submit 'no comment' to new Sulby Riverside development plans

It was one of a number of topics discussed at the meeting last night

Ramsey Commissioners have been discussing proposals for a new housing development in the town.

Last night the board held its postponed August meeting to discuss a range of issues.

Planning permission in principle is being sought for the land adjacent to Poyll Dooey for a ‘residential led’ development.

Blythe Church Investments has reapplied for 7.93 hectares of it to be developed – the number of houses has not been provided.

Ramsey Commissioners were split on a proposal made by Juan McGuinness to write to planning to ask them to consider the Draft North and West Area Plan and what land is being considered in the plan.

However, Chair Rob Cowell had the casting vote and said he would prefer to leave it to planning.

It was proposed by Commissioner Adam Beighton to submit a no comment view - this was agreed to by the board.

Also on the agenda was the abolition of the North and South Wards for voting in elections.

A motion was brought forward a few months ago and could make voting ‘equal’ between those living in both areas.

It was confirmed that the current elected members will remain in their roles until the next election – the proposal will follow the next full election.

As part of the scheme a public inquiry would be held for residents but the next step, agreed by the board at the meeting, is for a public consultation into the matter.

Two other public consultations were discussed during the meeting – one into the buses and the other into the Mooir Vannin offshore windfarm.

The government’s transport consultation was discussed and Commissioner McGuinness said there are some ‘contradictions’ between clause two and seven.

Mr McGuinness said they need to choose between committing to climate change targets or making the public transport network more accessible.

He proposed pointing out that a series of ‘cost focused’ measures including removing the Cregneash bus and removing scheduled bus services from the northern villages are against these.

It was agreed by the board to include these in the response to the consultation.

There was also a discussion about the Mooir Vannin offshore windfarm and how it could affect Ramsey.

The commissioners agreed to submit a response to the consultation asking government to give ‘economic support’ to Ramsey and to ask Orsted to consider the town as a ‘centre’ for its operations.