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Port Erin Commissioners object to tourist accommodation in village

Wednesday, 14 August 2024 06:34

By Emma Draper

It will also enquire about dedicated parking for RNLI crew

Port Erin Commissioners are continuing to object to planning applications which request tourist uses.

A planning application for a flat on Church Road sparked debate between the board about whether they should support it or object to it.

Commissioner Hannah Mackenzie said she will ‘always’ object to these applications because she believes too much tourist accommodation will ‘kill’ the village and the community will be ‘lost’.

However, Commissioner Barbara Guy said there needs to be ‘balance’ between the amount of tourist accommodation and homes for residents.

Chair Godfrey Egee suggested writing to planning saying the board supported it but the flat must be available for locals in winter.

Mrs Mackenzie said that by bringing tourist accommodation to the village people who may not qualify for social housing or are struggling will be left behind.

The board agreed to object to it by four votes to two.

Another item on the agenda was the public sector housing rent setting which is requested by the Department of Infrastructure each year.

A recommendation is asked for by each local authority but is ultimately set by the department – last year's went up by 7.5 percent.

The clerk said Onchan Commissioners had requested a zero percent increase and the board agreed not to follow this route.

Ms Guy said the Southern Sheltered Housing Board has requested five percent.

It was agreed by the commissioners to recommend a percentage increase in line with inflation when the letter was sent out, which was three percent.

It’s also recommending the maintenance budget raise to 35 percent.

An update was provided to the board by Ms Guy from the Traders Association.

She said the RNLI had been called out to help some kayakers in trouble, but because it was busy on Sunday there was nowhere for the crew to park.

The traders had asked who to contact about this and the board agreed it was a matter for the Department of Infrastructure to reserve spaces by the lifeboat station.

Commissioner Marc Morely said there would need to be a minimum of five so on and offshore crew are accommodated.

The board agreed to ask the owners of the Marine Biological Station site if there’s anything they can do before going to the department.

Port Erin Commissioners will next meet in September.

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