Decision on plans for 92 new homes in Peel deferred

Dandara's housing development goes before committee

A decision on plans to build 92 new homes in Peel has been deferred to allow members of the Planning Committee to carry out a site visit.

Dandara's proposals would see the estate built on land adjacent to Peel Golf Course.

It marks 'phase two' of the developer's plans for the west of the Island and includes a mix of two, three, four and five bed properties.

Twenty-three of the homes will be classed as 'affordable'. 

'Peel's infrastructure is drowning, it needs a lifeline'

At the meeting of the Planning Committee this morning (2 September) members heard from two people who said there isn't enough infrastructure in the town to accommodate the increase in population.

One objector, Stephanie Cottier, told the committee that people in the town already struggle to get GP appointments, parking is already congested, and schools are 'full'. 

'A high-quality development'

Applicant David Humphrey argued the area has been zoned for residential use for 30 years and the availability of schools, and healthcare facilities, is government's responsibility.

Mr Humphrey said the provision of affordable housing was in line with government's targets to boost the Island's population and the developers had 'worked very hard' to meet the requirements set out by various government departments - such as the Department of Infrastructure and Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

Any affordable houses would be built in 'the early phases' of the development, he said, and diagrams were shown of how the homes would be fitted with solar panels. 

'A mighty long way to go'

Chair of the Planning Committee Rob Callister said he 'felt sorry for this application', noting how provision of affordable housing, solar panels and temporary sewerage treatment plans had been accounted for.

Mr Callister acknowledged that the Planning Committee had only recently approved the use of temporary classrooms at QEII High School to help it accommodate additional pupils over the 2024/25 academic year.

Plans for a permanent sewage treatment plant in Peel have been approved - which any future development on the site would connect to - however an appeal has been lodged.

The second objector, Sharon Lambert, said no new housing should be considered until the sewage treatment plant is up and running.

There were also questions about the 'route to school' from the estate.

Committee Member Matthew Warren noted it was a 'mighty long way' to QEII High School and Peel Clothworkers.

Infrastructure concerns were the basis of Glenfaba and Peel MHK Kate Lord-Brennan's representation which was submitted to the committee.

Ms Lord-Brennan argued there must be 'some constraint and conditions now both on large residential development proposals / zoning and new planning applications for significant residential development in Peel especially where they are proposed, or applied for, on greenfield sites on the outskirts of town.'

She added: "I appreciate that the land in question in Planning Application 24/00055/B is covered by the 1989 Peel Local Plan, which I believe and accept may already give a basis for residential development of that area."

Attendants at today's meeting heard the 1989 Local Plan described as 'very light' in terms of highways infrastructure.

German Parish Commissioners also opposed the application saying it did not have 'the necessary infrastructure to support such a development and Peel's infrastructure is already failing'.

Peel Town Commissioners also opposed the application, noting 'the application does not have the necessary infrastructure to support the development of this land at this time.'

A site visit is expected to take place later this month and the application - which has been recommended for approval - will return to the Planning Committee in due course.