Councillors have rejected a resolution to explore building homes on the site of a former tip.
Douglas Council’s housing committee, chaired by Councillor Claire Wells, had recommended progressing plans to build houses on land adjacent to Springfield Road.
The council is looking to build the new housing to accommodate residents of Westmoreland Road and Circular Road, which would allow those areas to be developed.
The site which the committee recommended, was to build on the field pictured, which is on a former tip and runs down to Groves Road.
This option would have seen the construction of 16 three and four-bedroom houses.
The council’s agenda reads: ’Whilst it is known that the land underneath the fields is contaminated, this would not necessarily prevent development.’
It was suggested by the committee that a car park could be built for the new residents to be shared with the nearby football pitch.
However, after questions and concerns from several councillors including suggestions the council should look at using brownfield sites in the town, Mrs Wells withdrew the recommendation and said the committee would continue to explore options.
Mrs Wells stated during the debate that the motion was based on a feasibility study that only looked at some options.
She also revealed, after questions from council leader David Christian, that there are currently 29 empty houses in council ownership,which is less than 1% of the housing stock.