Bid to simplify small home improvement permissions

The consultation is available online until 23 October

It could become easier for homeowners to make small improvements to their properties under proposals to streamline planning laws.

Under the changes, residents would no longer needing permission to remove and replace a chimney or for the hard-surfacing of a domestic garden.

Views are being sought in a 12-week consultation, which also covers updates that could provide greater protection for historic buildings.

Minister for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa) Clare Barber said the proposals could save Manx residents "time and money”.

Under the proposals, a definition of a development order would specify the most common home improvements that either do or do not require approval.

They also include the exterior painting of buildings and a single planning application for the demolition of an existing building to build a new one.

Proposed changes to regulations governing registered buildings, which include an update to the definition of one to provide greater legal clarity, would seek to make the process of making decisions and appealing them clearer.

Inspectors considering those appeals would also be required to have specialist experience.

The reforms are part of the government's Built Environment Reform Programme, which was launched in 2022.

That initiative aims to improve the planning system to meet key targets in the economic strategy and the Island Plan, which is a blueprint setting out the government's priorities.

Clear and accessible

If supported, the updates would help the department implement changes being made to the Town and Country Planning Act, which had its first reading in the House of Keys in June.

Ms Barber said the changes would "ensure processes are clear, accessible and effective in creating attractive places to live, protecting the environment and supporting sustained economic growth”.

The public, building owners and developers have until 23 October to share their views on the proposed changes.

Defa said the consultation was separate to feedback being sought on permitted developments.