A couple in Laxey say they feel badly let down by the island’s planning and building control system.

Trish and Mark Dudley live in Seacliffe on Old Laxey Hill. They, along with several neighbours, are objecting to a proposal to demolish a two-bedroom bungalow, Berwyn, and replace it with a three-storey dwelling.

An independent planning inspector from the UK has approved the plans.

Laxey Commissioners also oppose the plans, stating that they would be contrary to general policies 2b, 2e and 2g in building control.

This means that the build would have an adverse impact on the residential amenities of a nearby property because of the height, mass and scale of the proposed building.

Mr and Mrs Dudley said that the new property would obliterate their outlook and affect the public’s view of the sea, something that was acknowledged in the UK inspector’s report.

The appeal inspector said he believed the property would ’make a significant, positive contribution to the area’.

The couple also said that the plans would affect the outlook of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan, which was updated in 2016 and sets out the general policies for the development of and use of land across the island.

The document says developments must ’respect the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them’.

Mr Dudley said: ’As part of the process we, along with the people in the area, Garff Commissioners and the planning committee were all allegedly given a say.

’There was a unanimous view from all parties that the plans were unsuitable, but ultimately it seems the verdict of a single independent inspector from the UK can ride roughshod over everybody.’

Mrs Dudley added: ’We are adamant that things must change.

’We don’t believe the system adheres to the principles of democracy.’