Plans for zoning of land around airfield withdrawn

The airfield is the site of a former RAF base

A map that would have seen land around Jurby Airfield zoned for its potential expansion has been withdrawn from an area plan after concerns from local homeowners.

The proposals by the Department of Infrastructure (DoI) came to light during an inquiry into the Draft Area Plan for the North and West, which outlines future development land.

However, the department said it had put forward a revised submission without the expansion, and would engage with the community in the autumn as an Airport Masterplan is developed.

Jurby Commissioners said a public meeting to discuss the now withdrawn map would still take place on Monday evening.

'Long-term backup'

An Airport Masterplan is currently being developed and would "explore plans" for improving the current facilities at Ronaldsway, as well as the current role of Jurby Airfield and "what may be required in the future" at the site, the DoI spokesman said.

Under the withdrawn proposals to zone land surrounding the former RAF site, an extra 2.5km (0.62 mile) of runway at the site was proposed on land that some housing has been built on.

The department spokesman said safeguarding of the airfield and the surrounding land had been in place since 2004, and while there were "currently no plans" to expand it, protecting the land ensured a "long-term backup".

The department would "fully explain" the need for the proposal, and what any expansion "might mean for those living and working in and around Jurby" in the autumn, he added.

Jurby Commissioners said despite the change to the DoI's submission, the meeting would allow for the local authority and residents to consider the "potential future changes", to "enable considered discussion" during the consultation.

The authority said both MHKs for the area - Chief Minister Alfred Cannan and Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston - had confirmed they would be attending the meeting at Jurby Parish Hall from 19:00 BST.