Ramsey Commissioners have decided not to object to a scheme to build a housing estate of 30 properties on the former gas works site, North Shore Road.
Instead, they will forward their concerns as observations. Those concerns relate to the proposed access onto North Shore Road, inadequate open space, and the environmental implications of the previous use of the area.
The application by Haven Homes Ltd is for demolition of the redundant gas works structures to make space for 30 homes, eight of which would be for first-time buyers.
Following last month’s meeting when it was decided to object to the scheme, lead member for works and development, Graham Jones and the commissioners’ technical officer, Steve Harrison, have met Ashton Lewis and Hugh Logan, from Haven Homes.
Messrs Lewis and Logan assured them that detailed consideration had been given to the layout of the estate prior to the plans being submitted and both the proposed access splays and the proposed amenity space met statutory requirements. In addition, a land contamination report had been submitted. They said it was a very significant investment for the company, which hoped to build up to 100 houses in Ramsey over the next five years.
On this basis, Mr Jones asked his colleagues on the board to reconsider their objection.
Commissioner Richard Radcliffe refused to be swayed. He said: ‘Nothing has changed. In my opinion, the roadway access is woefully inadequate and my concerns about amenity land remain the same.’
Commissioner Sylvia Beattie said she still had strong objections on grounds of access and over-intensive use: ‘There’s already enough properties there,’ she said.
Fellow board member Steven Bevan said he welcomed any development in Ramsey, but this was a busy road at the best of times: ‘The fact it is close to Mooragh Park, which is busy with families, does worry me somewhat,’ he said.
With the exception of Mr Radcliffe, Mrs Beattie, Mr Bevan and board chairman, Nigel Malpass, members agreed to withdraw their objection and make observations instead.