Port Erin Commissioners agree unanimously to support Co-Op planning application

Also on the agenda was the installation of a mosaic and changes to the Southern 100 schedule

Port Erin Commissioners have agreed to support a planning application for a new Co-Op on Station Road.

The local authority also discussed changes to the Southern 100 schedule and relocating an old mosaic at its public meeting last night. 

The item which sparked the most debate between the commissioners was the application for a new and bigger Co-Op on the site of the former funeral directors. 

Vice Chair Marc Morely said there are seven objections so far - one commercial, three close by and another three which are not in the 'direct vicinity' of the proposed site. 

He said the residents nearby have listed privacy as their main concern. 

Mr Morely also said the Department of Infrastructure Highways Division initially had no objections 'whatsoever', but has since requested a traffic audits. 

Commissioner Hayley Fox also raised issues with 'bad' parking around the area and Commissioner Barbara Guy said she had concerns about the 'accessibility' of the site. 

Commissioner Ian Swindells proposed the local authority support the application, wait for the traffic reports and let planning deal with the areas of concern. 

It was agreed unanimously. 

Also on the agenda was an update from the organisers of the Southern 100 asking if the board would have any issues with a closure on Monday 7 July and an extra contingency on the Wednesday. 

The deputy clerk said the seventh is the Tynwald bank holiday next year, but Commissioner Hannah Mackenzie said the racing brings more business to the south than TT does.

Commissioner Barbara Guy said the closures aren't too 'restrictive' for residents and there are ways around it. 

Mr Morely told the board a meeting is being held about the number 28 bus route at The Albert in Port St Mary on the 20 November.

He said the organisers are looking for retired or volunteer bus drivers to speak at the meeting. 

And an old mosaic could be reinstalled in the village.

After seeing the RNLI mosaic in Port St Mary, Mrs Guy said she remembered an old mosaic that used to be in Reayrt Ny Chrink. 

She said the Men in Sheds group has it in storage and completed some restoration work. 

Mrs Guy said it would be 'fantastic' to see the artwork back up in the village which she said has images of Manannan and other Manx scenes. 

The board agreed to look into finding a suitable location for the piece.

Port Erin Commissioners will next meet on Tuesday, 10 December.