Residents' frustration over airfield zoning plan

More than 100 people attended the meeting at Jurby Parish Hall on Monday

Northern residents have vented their frustration at a lack of public engagement on withdrawn zoning proposals for the potential future expansion of Jurby Airfield.

More than 100 people attended a public meeting about a map submitted to the Draft Area Plan for the North and West by the Department of Infrastructure (DoI).

Concerns were raised over the need for any future expansion, the threat posed to houses in the vicinity of the runway and the "stress caused to the community".

Government chief executive Andy Ralphs said there were "lessons to be learned" on how to explain such "matters of national, strategic and local importance".

The meeting went ahead despite the withdrawal of the map from the draft area plan

Safeguarding of the airfield and the surrounding land, with a runway of 1500m (0.9 mile), has been in place since 2004.

The DoI, which runs the island's airport in the south of the island, had recommended provisional zoning of an extra 500m (0.3 mile) in its submission to the area plan, which outlines future development land.

Mr Ralphs said the government "could have done better in terms of engagement" and confirmed a revised submission without the expansion had been added to the draft plan.

The community would be consulted in the autumn as an Airport Masterplan was developed, he said.

Fern Callister's home sits within the proposed expansion area

Jurby resident Fern Callister, whose home sits within in the proposed zone, said "her world had been turned upside down" since it was brought to her attention, with fears the situation could decrease the value of the property.

She said: "Who would want to buy a home which could be under a runway?"

Neighbour Vicki Wade said she was "furious" about a "lack of transparency" surrounding the proposals and the "damage" that she also felt had been done to her farm's value.

"Until we get written confirmation from government that runway extension has completely disappeared we won't rest, because we can't afford to," she added.

Jurby resident Vicki Wade said the process had lacked transparency

The panel at the meeting hosted by the Jurby Parish Commissioners also featured Airport Director Gary Cobb and the MHKs for the Ayre and Michael, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan and Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston.

Mr Cobb explained the proposal had been drawn up as it would be "prudent" to protect the equivalent length and height of airspace as there is at Ronaldsway should a national emergency occur that would shut down the facility for months or years.

He said, while there were no plans to build an airport in the north, the size of aircraft responsible for carrying up to 70% of the island's passengers would not be able to land at the Jurby facility due to its current shorter runway.

Andy Ralphs told the meeting the public would be consulted over future proposals in the autumn

Both local MHKs apologised for the "anxiety and concern" caused to residents in the area.

Mr Cannan said although he had only recently become aware of the proposals, which were submitted in late 2022, he welcomed the recent commitment to "pull the map" and consult via the Airport Masterplan.

Mr Johnston said he was pleased that would give "everyone the opportunity" to have their views heard and have a "full understanding of any implications".