Should Infrastructure Minister be able to overrule planning decisions?

Manx residents have been complaining on social media that the Minister for Infrastructure’s ability to overrule planning decisions is ‘undemocratic’.

Legislation does allow for it – as the appeal process is there as a fallback for interested parties and developers to have a decision reconsidered.

It’s in relation to two planning decisions made concerning development in Castletown where the Planning Committee’s conclusion was overruled.

The process has been used over the last decade and a half.

Michael Gallagher is the director of planning and building control at the DoI, he told us there are opportunities for people to openly object: