Developer Hartford Homes has unveiled plans for 47 houses at Knock Rushen, Scarlett Point in Castletown.

A one-day display in the town’s civic centre last week attracted 80 people.

Norman Greenhalgh, a director of Hartford Homes, said: ’While no development is ever embraced with open arms, there was an understanding that there is a need for housing in the area and that the proposals illustrated a high quality scheme covering a mix of house types while also utilising many similar materials found at the award winning Knock Rushen development.

’Indeed I would probably say that many people came in with questions rather than objections and we were able to address with clarity many concerns.’

The development will extend the 45 properties already at Knock Rushen, although the existing and new houses will be separated by an area of public open space.

The area is one of four identified as suitable for development in a housing review led by government.

The local authority prompted the review after it said there was not enough land for housing allocated in the area plan for the south.

They said more housing was needed to grow the town and provide housing for young people to enable them to continue living in the area.

Hartford argued the development at Knock Rushen is on the right side of town and encourages residents to stay in the area rather than use facilities elsewhere.

However the area at Scarlett has a controversial history. Campaigners fought - under the group Save Our Scarlett - development at Scarlett Point for 13 years but were defeated when Hartford first got permission to build at Knock Rushen in 2006.

This latest proposal has already prompted several concerns including the increased traffic to the site using existing roads. The fact the area is coastal and green field remain unchanged.

Objectors argue there are other areas identified in the housing review that are more suitable for development.

If this plan is approved, Hartford would begin building as soon as possible to meet what it said is the high demand for quality new homes.