Castletown Commissioners are investigating whether they should lodge a petition of doleance against approval of the latest Callow’s Yard plan.
Callow’s Yard Ltd’s planning application (14/00338/B) will see the conversion of unused commercial premises at the Castletown complex into residential accommodation.
Planners originally turned the controversial application down, CY owner Roy Tilleard appealed against the refusal and the planning inspector recommended that the appeal be allowed and planning permission be granted.
Kate Beecroft, member for the Department of Infrastructure, decided to go against the recommendation of planning inspector Alan Langton and dismissed the appeal, citing lack of parking. Mr Tilleard lodged a petition of doleance and in July the high court ruled in his favour, with Deemster Corlett concluding that Mrs Beecroft’s decision was ‘unlawful’ as she failed to take into account ‘relevant material considerations’.
He ordered the appeal be reconsidered with reference to the inspector’s report. Planning committee chairman Chris Robertshaw has accepted the recommendation that the appeal be allowed.
Last week, town commissioner Peter Hill-Heaton said: ‘I’m not against the flats, it will bring people into town, but where is the parking? I thought there were meant to be one and a half (car parking) spaces a flat.’
Andrew Thomas said: ‘We should consider a petition of doleance. We are all aware of the public opposition, I think we should give it consideration.’
Chairman Alwyn Collister said they should continue the discussion in private.
Afterwards clerk Eddie Convery confirmed the authority is investigating the possibility of a petition.