A government minister is being accused of a conflict of interest over a planning application for a development on his own land.

The planning department has confirmed that the application by Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Geoffrey Boot will not be called in by the Council of Ministers.

This is despite the fact that the planning and building control directorate comes under his department and by law, Mr Boot is DEFA.

The application (18/01013/B) is for the construction of an agricultural building on the site of a former cow shed by the Glenfaba and Peel MHK’s home at Ballagarraghyn Mansion, Greeba.

German Commissioners have objected to the proposal, claiming there is no agricultural need for the building at what they say is a domestic property - and argued the application should be called in by CoMin.

’The commissioners hope the application is considered by an independent inspector in the interests of fairness and transparency,’ they said.

But director of planning and building control Jennifer Chance, in an email to Peel campaigner Trevor Cowin, said: ’The application has not been called in by CoMin.

’The department has carefully considered the legal, governance and conflicts of interests issues presented in relation to the personal application for planning approval made by the minister and has determined that the application will be determined by the committee.’

Mr Cowin said: ’Mr Boot, who in law is the department, has determined there will not be any conflict of interest in him determining his own planning application. He can’t be serious. Of course there’s a conflict of interest. It’s as plain as the nose on one’s face.’

In a separate letter to Mr Cowin, Ms Chance said she was not prepared to provide a copy of the legal advice on the issue.

She said: ’Mr Boot’s role as Minister is legally separate from his personal life. The department would not take the proceeds were Mr Boot to sell the property he owns.

’Codes of conduct indicate that any politician with a personal interest in a matter should separate himself from any actual decision-making so as not to give rise to the possibility of any misuse of power.

’I am content that the processes in place mean that the department (in this case via the planning committee) can lawfully determine this planning application.

’A determination, in public, by the planning committee, in my view provides adequate separation and transparency, in particular given the scrutiny and press attention that this particular application has generated.’

The application is still pending consideration.