Douglas Council’s regeneration committee has formulated a new charging policy in order to encourage events in Noble’s Park.

Committee chairman Councillor Stephen Pitts was asked by Councillor John Skinner why the council had made an application (20/00038/B) to erect a big top tent for three years.

The council has applied for planning permission for a temporary circus tent in the park following the success of previous year’s events.

Mr Pitts said that the council ’does not pay planning application fees but commercial event businesses are subject to them’.

He added: ’So as to encourage events in the park, the regeneration and community committee has resolved to adopt a pricing structure for events including ground hire, and a charge to the event organisers for officers’ time in processing planning applications where required.’

Mr Skinner also asked for details about the pipe laying working currently being undertaken in Noble’s park, how the ground has recovered from the 2019 TT and MGP fortnights and how much the council has charged the Department for Enterprise over the past five years.

Mr Pitts said that the pipeline is due to be completed by the end of this month and had to be laid throughout the winter as there is a ’window of opportunity’ between MGP and TT fortnights.

He added: ’Due to the wet ground conditions over TT and Festival of Motorcycling, reinstatement could not commence immediate afterwards, however if any additional remedial work is needed, the costs will be charged to DfE.’

Mr Pitts confirmed that council charged DFE £1.4m in 2015; £1.3m in 2016; £1.9m in 2017 and £1.8m in 2018. However, in 2019, DfE was not charged as it engaged a private contractor.