A reunion is being planned for staff who worked in all wards and departments at the old Noble’s Hospital on Westmoreland Road in Douglas.

The event is taking place on Friday, February 27, 2015 at the Manx Legion Hall, Market Hill in Douglas..

Tickets cost £10 and will include a light buffet and disco.

They will go on sale tomorrow (Wednesday). With a restriction of 230 people organisers expect the event to sell out quickly and would like to stress that on this occasion it’s limited to staff from old Noble’s only.

They are also looking for old uniforms, photographs and funny stories which people would be willing to share to the event.

For further information and tickets contact viv.edge@manx.net or ring 483044.

Christopher Keaveny has joined financial advisers Lasenby Knox as a client relationship manager.

Christopher has 25 years’ experience of working within personal finance planning for a variety of organisations in the UK and Isle of Man.

Speaking of his new role, Christopher said: ‘The ethos behind the business is very appealing to me. It’s all about giving clients professional and aspirational planning that is entirely personal to them, developing an understanding of their needs and ensuring the advice given is as intuitive as possible.

‘As with all types of business, the client relationship is absolutely the key to success.’

Managing director Steve Locking said: ‘The business was born out of the need to evolve along with regulatory changes and respond to ever-increasing client demands.

‘Christopher’s expertise will certainly refine and enrich our approach. We see him as being fundamental to the launch and growth of the business as a wealth adviser of the future.

‘Lasenby Knox’s signature approach is to form long-term relationships to gain a deep understanding of all of our clients’ specific needs.’

The Isle of Man Passport office is urging residents to recognise the importance of their passport – and to take good care of it.

It points out that the British passport remains one of the most secure documents in the world, allowing holders to travel without the need for an additional visa to many countries around the world.

If a British passport is recovered and returned to the Isle of Man passport service it will always be cancelled and destroyed in line with UK Passport Office policy to maintain the security and integrity of the British passport.

If identification is required for proof of age, the Isle of Man Passport service advises people to apply for a Proof of Age Card at the Welcome Centre in Douglas.

Further information can be found at www.gov.im/passports or you can contact the passport service by calling 685208 or emailing passports@gov.im

Health chiefs have submitted plans for a range of works at Ramsey & District Cottage Hospital.

The application (14/01081/B ) to government planners is for a rear single storey extension to be built to extend the hospital mortuary.

A bigger car park would be created at the rear of the Cumberland Road hospital.

The proposal is to create an additional 18 car parking spaces.

Improvements to the main entrance would see a canopy flat roof being installed and a glazed screen enclosure.

The aim is to provide shelter to the revolving doors.

And ramps and canopies would be installed in the ambulance access areas.

The Isle of Man Examiner asked the Department of Health the cost of the project, why the works were necessary, and subject to approval, when the work was scheduled to take place.

We hadn’t received a response as the Examiner went to press.

Farce threatens to surround the government’s much vaunted Big Debate this week - as a rival event is staged in the same town and at the same time.

The first of the Big Debate meetings takes place tomorrow (Thursday) at Peel Centenary Centre, starting at 7.30pm.

But a rival meeting taking place in Peel at the same time threatens to hijack the initiative.

An open debate being held in the Masonic Hall, Stanley Road, Peel at 7pm on Thursday has been organised under the banner Isle of Man 2020 which has been launched by Douglas West MHK Chris Thomas and has the support of Michael MHK Alfred Cannan and the Liberal Vannin party.

Four Big Debate meetings have been organised – this week’s event in Peel and then at Scoill Ree Gorree, Ramsey on October 7, the Erin Arts Centre in Port Erin on October 15 and the Manx Museum in Douglas on November 4.

Invitations were sent out to 4,000 randomly selected residents last Monday. So far more than 150 have responded, saying they would like to attend one of the meetings.

There will be a maximum of 100 members of the public at each meeting who will invited to submit their feedback anonymously using individual remote control devices.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Robertshaw says he’s encouraged by the ‘influx’ of responses to invitations to his Big Debate - and he insists that he has the support of his colleagues for the initiative.

He said: ‘I am encouraged by the influx of responses we’ve received and the clear appetite of the public to engage in our national conversation. Minister Teare and I are very much looking forward to the first meeting in Peel.

‘The national debate is a very important exercise we are doing for the first time. I welcome the fact that others want to get involved. We will have to see how it pans out.’

The Big Debate aims to give the public a say on the big challenges facing the island. But those attending this week’s meeting won’t know what’s on the agenda for discussion or what they will be voting on.

And organisers of the rival event argue the Big Debate is not a debate at all but an attempt at ‘state-sponsored electioneering for the government’.

Mr Thomas said: ‘There are always options, and choosing between them depends on who is involved in the choice and how the choice is presented. I will summarise what I see as the big issues, and how we could - or even should - deal with them.’

Mr Cannan, who resigned as member for housing in protest at what he claimed was Cabinet Office interference in department affairs, has criticised the Big Debate as ‘woolly, airy fairy and abstract’. He said of the Isle of Man 2020 meeting: ‘I am delighted to support this democratic event.’ Liberal Vannin leader Kate Beecroft MHK said: “This is what Liberal Vannin is about, bringing politics back to the people.’

Mr Robertshaw told the Examiner: ‘I do believe that I have the support of fellow Ministers in promoting the Big Debate, and indeed some of my colleagues will be presenting elements of it as the project progresses.

‘My role and that of the Cabinet Office is to lead the change and reform that is necessary to secure the long-term future of the Isle of Man – that is bound to overlap with the functions of departments but I believe that interaction can be managed if we are all prepared to work together for the greater good.’

Commissioners are in head-on collision with highway chiefs over speed warning signs on a busy main road.

Maughold Commissioners took matters into their own hands after repeated requests to install ‘smiley face’ speed signs in Glen Mona were ignored.

On Monday last week they put up signs of their own on the northern and southern approaches to the village.

But within hours of doing so, the Department of Infrastructure told them to take them down – which the commissioners are refusing to do.

Commissioners clerk Martin Royle explained that until about two-and-a-half years ago the DoI had provided smiley speed signs under a partnership agreement to slow traffic down through Glen Mona, and particularly past Dhoon School.

He said: ‘They worked fine. But then the DoI wrote to us saying they were taking them off us. We’ve had two and a half years without them.

‘We’ve had to take matters into our own hands. They do work extremely well. In nine out of 10 cases, traffic noticeably slows down.’

DoI traffic team leader Matthew Bawden wrote in an email to the commissioners’ clerk: ‘I have been informed that a speed reminder sign has been installed and mounted on a DoI pole within Maughold parish.

‘I wish to politely reiterate that we have taken delivery of six new smiley signs and are to deploy them on a rota basis to various locations around the island.

‘When this occurs we would request that the current sign be removed immediately.’

He added: ‘The speed reinforcement signs need to be part of an island-wide strategy rather than stand alone, as the effectiveness of a single sign is not only diminished but it also impacts negatively on a wider scale as people tend to then become used to seeing a sign in one particular location.

‘In addition, prior to any [deployment], signs that are not highway signs must require a licence from the Department of Infrastructure if they are to be placed at or on the highways.’

Mr Royle admitted his reply had been ‘quite forthright’.

He told Mr Bawden: ‘Based on practical experience, the commissioners cannot recommend to our community that they rely on the department for effective implementation and management of the speed signs. The only answer is to take these matters into local control.

‘In the interests of our community we will not remove the signs. Our community has provided our licence.’

He told the Examiner: ‘It’s what the community wants. It cost a couple of thousand pounds for the two signs. That’s come out the local rates. But if they calm traffic it’s money well spent.’

Police are appealing for information in connection with an incident involving a group of men in Douglas on Monday night.

It happened at around 11pm in the area of Castlemona Avenue, and officers would like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed an altercation taking place.

If you can help, call Constable Woods at Lord Street Police Station on 631212.

Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous are reminded that they can contact use the Crime stoppers line on 0800 555111.

A second Tesco shop could be coming to the capital in the not too distant future.

A spokesman for the company told the Examiner the old MEA showroom in the Strand Shopping Centre was one of the options that had been considered though no concrete plans had been made.

‘We’re always looking at the best way to serve our customers on the island and we’ll gladly look at possible sites for a small convenience store in Douglas,’ he said.

He added the company always looked out for possible new sites if it felt it suited customers and the community.

He said if any plans were finalised, a statement would be made to keep the public informed.

‘Any formal plans that are made will be made known,’ he said.

In 2010 planning permission to extend the Lake Road store was refused after an appeal and a public inquiry. The proposal which included extra sales space, a customer cafe and a decked car park providing room for 566 vehicles was rejected on grounds of increased traffic in the area.

Isle of Man Newspapers has been suffering a number of technical problems with our computer systems today.

It has meant that a number of emails have not got through.

If you have been trying to get in contact with our advertising sales department, please phone Kathy Smith on 451120.

The news emails seem to be working again now.

However, if you tried to get in touch with our news team via email before about 2pm, please email newsdesk@newsiom.co.im again.

Cronkbourne Cricket Club’s Alex Stokoe has been named as the final Standard Bank Player of the Month of the season.

The award is in recognition of the island all-rounder’s bowling performances during the final few weeks of the 2014 campaign.

For August and September period, Dan Hawke, Tom Howard, Richard Corke and Bruce Wagstaff were also nominated for their performances and contributions.

Chris Till of award sponsor Standard Bank said it was a tough decision: ‘In the end, Alex was chosen because of his superb bowling performances during the month including two for 11 against Peel & St Johns in the Standard Bank Tinker Cup and one for 8 off 4 overs against Peel & St Johns in the Standard Bank T20 final where he also scored the winning runs off the final ball to win the Cup for Cronkbourne.’

Nominees are put forward by the Isle of Man Cricket Association (IoMCA) and entrants are judged by a panel which includes Chris Till, Andy Dalrymple of (IoM Newspapers) and former Isle of Man captain Rob Webber.

Till added that it has been an excellent year for cricket: ‘This award caps off another excellent season of club cricket in the island.

‘It’s been an absolute delight for us as the judging panel to have been able to make these awards, and everyone who has been nominated, not just the winners, should be proud of the performances they’ve put in.’

The winner of the Standard Bank Player of the Month receives a £50 sports voucher, a Standard Bank cap and a certificate.

It’s going to be more difficult to find out about planning applications in the Isle of Man soon.

The government is going to stop advertising them in the island’s newspapers to save money.

After October 10, the publication list will no longer appear in the local press.

Planning applications will still be published on the department’s website and on the Isle of Man Newspapers website at http://www.iomtoday.co.im/ as well as being sent to local authorities and libraries in the Isle of Man. Applicants are also required to display the traditional yellow planning notices at an application site.

The Department of Infrastructure says it is ‘continually looking at ways to provide its services more efficiently’. Infrastructure is responsible for achieving cost savings of £5 million in the current financial year, which is half of government’s overall target for 2014-15.

Chris Thomas MHK, member of DoI with responsibility for planning and building control, said: ‘Planning applications may not appear in the public notices section of the newspaper in future, but we will do what we can to enable the general public, potential interested parties, local authorities and journalists to have the information they need.’

He added: ‘I would encourage people to supply their email address to receive a planning list email alert, especially residents’ associations and others who have always had a keen interest in planning issues within their communities.

‘Telling neighbours about a planning application would also be helpful.

‘The department has suspended publication of the weekly planning list in the newspaper, but will carry out a review of the new arrangements and

The department says the move will save part of the £38,000 spent during the last financial year on preparing, designing and publishing the press notices.

Tromode’s William Draper was voted Team RL360’s Rider of the Month for August.

The talented youngster picked up the coveted award mainly for the two major off-island victories he scored during the period.

At the beginning of the month William took the overall win in the under-14 category at the prestigious Errigal International Youth Tour in Ireland, finishing a clear 36 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

Four weeks later he produced another outstanding ride to win the eighth and concluding round of British Cycling’s National Youth Series, a result that secured him an excellent fourth place in the final overall standings.

Inbetween the two off-island successes, William continued to put in impressive performances in the season-long RL360 Youth League at the NSC, topping the under-14 class in two of the final three rounds to consolidate his position at the top of the class.

In recognition of his achievements William Draper receives a commemorative trophy and a £50 cash prize.

Cal Crutchlow scored his first podium of the season in the GP of Aragón, round 14 of the MotoGP World Championship, in Spain on Sunday.

The factory Ducati rider took the chequered flag in third place, a fraction behind runner-up Aleix Espargarò, in the pouring rain.

The GP of Aragón produced a number of surprises because of the rain, which began to fall halfway through the 23-lap race, first lightly then increasing in intensity during the final stages.

Crutchlow, who started from row two, concluded the first lap in eighth place and was then involved in a scrap with Espargarò and Alvaro Bautista.

The Ramsey resident decided to pit to change bikes on lap 18, and he moved up to third. On the final lap, Cal managed to catch Espargarò and tried to pass him coming out of the final curve, but he flashed across the line just 17/1000ths of a second away in third place.

‘Obviously we got very lucky with the conditions, but it was the same for everyone so I don’t really care,’ said Cal.

‘I am pleased with the work that the guys have done, we are in better shape than what we were, even in the dry. A great job by Ducati, they haven’t given up with me and I haven’t given up with them and I think that shows week in and week out, even when the results haven’t been good.

‘I got a wheelie coming out of the last corner because I hit the white paint, and I probably would have got Aleix on the line for second if I had been able to change gear in time.’

Luigi Dall’Igna, Ducati Corse’s general manager, commented: ‘We are really happy with Cal’s podium, because up to now he’s had a difficult season despite his and the entire team’s commitment. He really deserved that result.’

Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo scored his first win of the season in rain-affected GP after championship leader Marc Marquez crashed.

A Port Erin man died at home in his bedroom from a drugs overdose an inquest heard.

A verdict of misadventure was recorded by coroner John Needham on James Francis Edward McCrae, aged 32, who was discovered on March 25 by his mother in their home in Droghadfayle Road.

Mr Needham said there was no evidence of foul play or that Mr McCrae took his own life. But he said a so-called legal high called MPA and morphine were both found in his body at a potentially fatal concentration.

And he referred the matter to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to consider whether MPA should be banned.

‘The toxicological evidence is clear. He had morphine concentrations of 591mg per litre of blood and expert evidence says fatal toxicity can start at anything above 100. Even for a tolerant user the level could be anything from 100 to 500 and the level recorded here was above that,’ Mr Needham said.

The court heard police and an ambulance went to Mr McCrae’s home soon after 3.30pm but paramedics were unable to revive him.

A statement from Keri McCrae, Mr McCrae’s mother, said he had been to the chemist to collect a prescription for her the day before. She said she knew her son previously had a problem with drugs and had received support to tackle the problem. She said he was doing a distance learing course to be a personal trainer, which he was hoping to finish in the next few months.

‘As far as I was aware, James never took drugs any more,’ the statement said.

Evidence taken from Mr McCrae’s laptop computer showed he had visited a number of websites concerned with supplying various chemicals.

His friend Mark Clague described Mr McCrae as a ‘polite, friendly and generous person’. He said Mr McCrae had taken heroin but had tackled his addiction.

Relatively little was known about MPA, Mr Needham said, which meant it was impossible to say with certainty if the level found in Mr McCrae was a fatal dose or not.

‘James appears to have been buying legal highs over the internet. The evidence of Mr Clague confirms this. They inhaled the MPA vapour only a few days before.

‘Regrettably, it seems James had been using drugs on a recreational basis and had developed an unhealthy interest in legal highs.’

Mr Needham said it was uncertain where he got the morphine from but he noted it was an active ingredient in some of the prescription medicines found in his room. He also noted it was an ingredient in some of his mother’s medication, though she did not believe any had gone missing.

‘But it does seem a strong coincidence that the death occurred the day after she went to the doctor and got the stonger opiate medication.’

Post mortem findings from Dr Ervine Long suggested ‘multiple drug toxicity’ as the cause of death.

‘Anyone who takes these medicines without medical advice takes a great risk,’ he said.

Mr Needham noted MPA is a controlled drug in Germany and in some US states, but not in the UK or Isle of Man.

‘There seems to be a lack of research into its effects but in this case it was found in James’ blood and probably contributed to his death so I refer this to the relevant committee to consider if MPA should be included in the Misuse of Drugs Act in the Isle of Man in the future,’ he said.

Rebecca Uren has joined marketing and communications agency MM&C as a marketing executive.

The 24-year-old joins the firm from AXA Wealth International, where she worked as marketing and propositions assistant for almost three years.

The former Ballakermeen High School pupil graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a degree in fashion communication and promotion before returning to the island in 2012 to pursue her career.

Her degree course included opportunities to create potential marketing strategies for several major brands, including L’Oreal, Speedo and The Pentland Group.

Rebecca said: ‘Joining MM&C is both an exciting and pivotal moment in my career as it gives me the opportunity to refine skills. My role will enable me to utilise my ability to both recognise new opportunities and translate complex issues into practical outcomes, and deliver great results. MM&C bring the same proactivity and creativity to each project, and I am overjoyed to be playing a part in that.”

Managing director Craig Wolstencroft said: ‘This latest recruitment is part of an ongoing drive to further strengthen our team

Work to preserve the Manx Electric Railway’s last mercury arc rectifier is progressing surely but slowly according to the team of volunteers tasked with the project.

The Edwardian electrical equipment was shut down for the last time last autumn at the end of the electric railway’s 120th anniversay celebrations and has been replaced with modern equipment.

For a time the future of the apparatus, which produces an impressive light display which would not look out of place in a gothic horror film, hung in the balance.

Since then the government has agreed the apparatus should be preserved and moved to a new location away from its current position near the Laxey tram sheds.

Pete Geddes of the Mines Research Group said they had a diverse range of skills within the group and volunteers would be undertaking the removal work shortly.

‘There’s been a bit of a lull but details are being finalised and everyone is keen to make progress,’ he said.

The group hopes to relocate the equipment in the former goods building near the Mines Tavern but details still have to be finalised. The rectifier should then be operational and form the centrepiece of an interactive science museum, providing another visitor attraction in the village.

A petition was launched to save the rectifier, said to be the last working in the British Isles, when plans were first announced to decommission it.

A commissioner is calling for a freeze on public sector rents following the shelving of means testing.

Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle MHK has written to local authorities explaining that means-tested rents cannot be introduced as planned in April because his department does not have the legal powers to do so - and they have also been asked for their input on what the next rent rise should be.

Meanwhile, Minister for Policy and Reform Chris Robertshaw MHK has asked for a meeting with Department of Health and Social Care to discuss apparent discrepancies in income levels of council house tenants – figures that were used to support the principle of means testing.

Mr Robertshaw had claimed there were significantly more tenants earning above £60,000 and significantly fewer on benefits than the department now believes is the case.

Means testing and rent levels were discussed at a board meeting of Onchan Commissioners last night (Monday).

According to one commissioner, Rob Callister, tenants in Onchan have seen their rents increase between 18.5 per cent to 37.5 per cent since April 2012, made up of an across the board 10 per cent rise and changes to the points based system,

Mr Callister said he would be calling on board members to support a ‘zero’ increase. ‘No local authority tenant should have to choose between paying rent, buying food or keeping warm this winter, but that unfortunately is the current reality for some tenants in Onchan,’ he said.

Commissioners’ clerk Malcolm Hulme said he believed the board would be ‘loath to put more increases on the rent’. He said: ‘People out there are in some financial difficulty.’

Asked if the board supported means testing, Mr Hulme replied: ‘I think we need more information on how it’s going to work. We need to see proper figures.’

Councillor David Ashford, chairman of Douglas Council’s housing and property committee which will consider rent levels at its next meeting in October, said: ‘In relation to means testing I’m disappointed that it’s not going forward as planned. I have always been a strong supporter. It removes the great myth that huge numbers of people in social housing are earning vast amounts of money.

‘It’s sensible the department has paused means testing even, if it’s late in the day, so they can ensure – most crucially – that they have the legal powers to do it.’

He said ‘huge’ rent increases had been sold on the basis that means testing was to be introduced. ‘The fact that it’s not coming is something the department will have to bear in mind this year.’

Mr Robertshaw told the Examiner: ‘I have asked for a meeting with DHSC to discuss the apparent discrepancy in figures for income levels in public sector housing and I don’t want to say anything more about the figures until we have had that meeting. What I can say is that I am still committed to the principle of fairness in housing.’

Models took to the stage at King William’s College at the weekend to display the best on offer from the island’s newest luxury women’s wear brand.

Claire Christian Couture, a new business based in Douglas, started up just 18 months ago but is now planning to hold a couple of fashion shows each year.

Owner of the business Claire Christian said the show was the product of some hard work but had been well worth while.

‘It was fantastic. Really good,’ she said.

‘There were lots of people taking part including models from various island secondary schools, including King William’s. We also had three male models and three child models,’ she said.

Claire is a former pupil of King William’s College and said the seeds of the idea were sown at a gathering of King William’s alumni recently.

The event had then grown into the fashion show coupled with a meal for 90 guests who were entertained by 20 models demonstrating Claire’s autumn and winter clothing collection. The whole show was supported thanks to 30 backstage crew. Supporting the event were Utopia and Purite, Marco Leonetti’s hairdressing and make up businesses, Charles Alexander, the jewellers, and Sarah Lennon who supplied furs and accessories such as bags.

Some menswear by Garrey Corneil was also displayed at the event.

‘This was proper high end produce. It was like Manx fashion week and our aim is to compete at the high end of the market,’ said Claire, who is already shipping her designs as far afield as Canada and France.

The residents of Peel are awaiting recommendations on a controversial development in the town.

A planning appeal hearing was held in Douglas last week about a proposal by developer Heritage Homes to build 144 houses at Reayrt ny Cronk.

Commissioner Ian Davison, town clerk Peter Leadley and Peel resident Trevor Cowin lodged appeals at Thursday’s hearing.

The scheme has been approved by the government’s planning department but has been met with anger by many of the town’s residents and most of Peel’s commissioners, who lodged the appeal against the plan’s approval.

A public meeting was called last week with around 150 people attending, and more than 130 of them voting against the development.

Heritage Homes has said that the development will create 150 jobs.

As last week’s Manx Independent reported, there was a lively public meeting on Monday last week about the proposal before the planning appeal hearing, when the overwhelming majority of people who attended opposed the plans.

Developer Heritage Homes was represented by Ciaran Downey, its housing director, although he was there in a private capacity because the company hadn’t been officially invited.

Speaking first for the commissioners at the planning appeal was Mr Leadley, who said: ‘The island’s Strategic Plan for the west states only 1,000 new dwellings should be built between 2001 and 2016. Previous applications have gone over this amount and described it as a “small surplus”. It is substantial in our view.’

Talking about the public open space requirements for the development, Mr Leadley said: ‘The planning report talks about the QEII School, Peel Golf Club, Peel Beach, the Headlands, the whole of the town. You can’t use a whole town as open space. The golf club is a private club, there’s no access to that unless you pay a fee.’

Mr Leadley also mentioned traffic congestion, policing of the town and drainage problems.

‘Thirty-three per cent of the planning committee objected to this decision so it was by no means unanimous. The town has reached its limit,’ he said.

Mr Davison also spoke about the open space and sewage issues asking: ‘How much extra pollution will go into Peel bay?’

‘If this goes ahead we will be 27 per cent over the agreed 1,000 dwellings. Well over.

‘The headmistress at the school has said she’d be unable to cope – who will be using the school as public open space? There are problems already with drug dealers. I have concerns over paedophiles and grooming.

‘At the Clothworkers’ School they had to turn the staff room into a classroom. This year’s figures have been manipulated.

‘Why do they feel they can use the golf club as open space? The club secretary wasn’t consulted – they are angry. It’s a surprise the cemetary was missed out on this occasion!

‘It takes two weeks to get a doctor appointment as it is. One hundred and forty-four houses will bring around 600 more people.

‘There will be more burden on the police. We need to say no at this time – we don’t have the infrastructure to cope, we need to catch up, it makes it more difficult. We’d like to get ahead with our services.’

Representing Heritage Homes, Vincent Fraser said: ‘The 1,000 figure is a guideline rather than a limit. The commissioners have accepted that in the past. I suggest there isn’t any opposition from public bodies because of a lack of infrastructure – the Department of Education haven’t come.

‘The Strategic Plan allows us to count school playing fields.’

Mr Davison answered: ‘The problem is 75 per cent of the time they’re taken up by the school or clubs. They’re only available in the dark.

‘Am I entitled to set my deckchair on the goal line during a rugby match? I don’t know.

‘At present the infrastructure and resources of the community are stretched, any increase will make life much harder.

‘It’s the public’s opinion that this is too large. I would have preferred a smaller development.

‘I would ask planning to help the commissioners and say no to a development of this size at this time.’

Planning officer Sarah Corlett said that the application was made almost a year ago and only two responses were initially received, one against it from Mr Cowin and another from former commissioner Neil Cushing, who ‘welcomed the development’.

Mr Cowin argued that there had been a material impact to him and his neighbours after the last development with noise and traffic increasing.

Evidence was also heard from Bryan Hall, a consultant civil and transportation planning engineer, and David Humphreys, planning director for Heritage Homes.

Planning inspector Alan Langton said that there is still 35 hectares of land in the west designated for housing but subject to applications.

Mr Langton will now write to Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK with his recommendations before a decision is announced.

Decisions can take around four weeks to be published.

A power surge led to problems at 55 homes.

Electrical appliances blew up as a result.

Today’s Manx Independent has all the details.

The paper also reports on a great example of Manx community spirit.

After a groom-to-be was diagnosed with cancer, lots of people and organisations got together to ensure his wedding could happen early.

The paper also reports on a police officer who resigned after he was caught committing a forgery.

Several months after the Attorney General was cleared of perjury, we reveal that he’s still suspended on full pay. We find out why.

With pages packed with sports action, readers’ letters, your seven-day television guide and the island’s What’s On guide, the Manx Independent is a great read this week.

It’s in the shops now.