Rejected area plan public inquiry cost £92k
Manx ScenesA total of £92,321 was spent on a public inquiry into a development plan for the north and west of the Isle of Man that was ultimately rejected by Tynwald members.
The figure, released by the Cabinet Office, included expenditure includes advertising, preparation, organisation and running of the inquiry.
Tynwald voted against the North and West Area Plan at the end of November, which would have set a framework to support future development in Peel and Ramsey, as well as the surrounding parishes.
The nine-day inquiry, held in July 2024, included sessions in both towns and was chaired by an independent UK planning inspector.
The plan was rejected by Tynwald members amid fears it would pave the way for some green spaces to developed in favour of brownfield sites.
Cost breakdown
The inquiry was organised by the Cabinet Office but was chaired by the independent planning inspector, who travelled to the island from the UK for the fortnight.
Costs included £32,924 for advertising, printing, web hosting and legal fees, and £59,397 for organising and running the hearings.
Sessions were held at Ramsey's Masonic Hall and Peel's Queen Elizabeth II High School.
Figures include expenses and mileage for temporary staff but exclude regular full-time salaries.
The department also confirmed that £5,949 was spent preparing the draft plan published in 2022.
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