Land hold-ups slowing brownfield projects - firm

Manx Development Corporation was set up in 2021 to regenerate government brownfield sites

Hold-ups in releasing land are slowing down the progress of a Manx government-owned development firm, one of its non-executive directors has said.

David Peach said the Manx Development Corporation (MDC) had "more potential" than it is being used for.

Giving evidence to a Tynwald Committee, Mr Peach said the body could be more efficient if it had access to more government land.

He said while "good progress" had been made since 2021, despite feasibility studies on a several some were being held by departments for "unfunded" projects.

The MDC was formed to develop government-owned brownfield sites.

Speaking during an evidence session held by the Economic Policy Review Committee, Mr Peach said interdepartmental discussions over business cases "takes a while".

The firm was also in discussion with two local authorities, including Douglas Council, over land they owned, as well as looking at other potential private sites.

Planning process

The committee heard the MDC's first project, the regeneration of the former nurses home into 37 apartments, was set to be complete by the first quarter of 2025.

At the same time, legal agreement was being negotiated on affordable housing and open space provision within the Westmoreland village.

Managing Director Dane Harop also said there were frustrations over delays to the planning process, highlighting that it had taken "just shy" of one year between the submission of a planning application for that project and it being considered by the committee.

He said the MDC had experienced barriers to brownfield developments, including a requirement for open space, which was not always possible for already developed sites, and 5% VAT rate on redeveloping buildings that had been used within 10 years.

A requirement for affordable housing was also difficult for brownfield sites due to additional costs such as potential demolition of buildings and removal of asbestos, Mr Peach added.