Latest news with #AnnCorlett
BBC News
22-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Douglas residents oppose plan for compound on playing fields
A group of residents are campaigning against plans for a construction compound on playing fields in the Isle of Man capital. The proposals, submitted by Douglas Council, would see the land on Ballanard Road temporarily used as a compound for the refurbishment of social residents of Ballanard Road and Manor Hotel Road have argued it should remain as a valued community them, Carla Dione said it would affect residents' day-to-day living, create noise and light pollution and "devalue" houses in the area. Local MHK Ann Corlett said she could understand the concerns and would "listen" to the residents and "help them through the process".The compound would work with the storage of materials and their movement around the Willaston estate alongside the delivery and collection of skips for disposal of building debris, the council council sent a letter, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, to households on Ballanard Road and Manor Hotel Road while other properties adjoining the site were not notified. 'Significant distress' It does not include timelines, a map or details about the duration of the the letter does say the site will be "temporary" and will be made as "inconspicuous as possible".It also confirmed the site will be needed for "several years" but the field would be "fully reinstated" once the development is complete and could include some "enhancements" in the future, and states the playing field is the "only logical area" after a meeting held by resident on Tuesday night, Michael Booth said the proposals had caused himself and nearby neighbours "a significant amount of distress" . He said he expected that the project, if approved, would turn their lives into a "living nightmare for many years to come".The recreational area was "used daily by so many", which included families, children playing, walkers, runners, cyclists, commuters, and was home to a "vast array of wildlife including nesting birds and bats", he said. There were other more suitable locations in and around the Willaston estate, he said, but "we don't believe that these are being seriously considered by the council".Douglas Council has been contacted for a comment. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Plans to lower some speed limits to 20mph approved by Tynwald
A plan to introduce lower speed limits in some residential areas has been given political 20mph (32km/h) zones have already been put in place in Port St Mary, with Douglas and Onchan next scheduled for the implementation of the scheme had faced criticism from some politicians, who said there had been a lack of consultation with local Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood said she was committed to an "expanded consultation" period in each area with a minimum of six weeks of local engagement. That commitment was cemented by an amendment by Ann Corlett, which included local consultation, the prioritisation of the lower speed limit around schools and clearer maps of the members also approved the monitoring of the new speed limits, with a review of the measures being published once implemented. 'Divisive' Haywood previously confirmed the implementation would be phased by region following local Rob Callister MHK said the minister had £400,000 to spend on implementing the zones in the "wrong places".He said although there were areas in Onchan that "might benefit" from lower speed limits or traffic-calming measures, those changes "should only occur through full engagement with the community, local authorities, and local Edge MHK said there was "still a lot of confusion" about what was going to happen. But MLC Gary Clueitt said it was an "operational plan" which seemed "reasonable".Corlett said that the principle of reduced speed limits around schools and in residential areas had been unanimously approved by members twice, but the "difficulty was in the where and the how", which had remained "divisive".Haywood told Tynwald final decisions would "only be made after local engagement" and mapping had been updated to make the proposals "clearer".She said the measure would enable residents to "enjoy the streets in which they live more" and reduce the risk of serious pedestrian infrastructure department's approach was "proportionate, evidence-led, and reflects the financial and operational realities we face", she added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
