Approval in principle has been granted for the construction of an 80-bed care home, despite an appeal by the local authority.

The planning inspector had recommended an appeal by Onchan District Commissioners be allowed and approval in principle to be refused.

But his recommendation was over-ruled by Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot who directed the appeal be dismissed.

He said the decision was 'finely balanced’ and if the matter came before him again for detailed approval, he would be scrutinising issues including access to the site and visual impact.

The application (17/00684/A) would see the erection of an 80-bed care home on King Edward Road on what is currently open space.

Onchan commissioners claimed the bid didn’t comply with planning policy.

They said the proposal would be against the Strategic Plan, which states developments must not have an adverse effect on the character of the surrounding landscape and residents. The planning inspector had agreed with the local authority that the proposal went against the Onchan Local Plan.

DEFA Minister Mr Boot rejected the appeal and the decision notice stated: ’Were the matter to come before the minister again for detailed approval, he would be scrutinising issues concerning residential amenity, visual impact and ready access (including sustainability of transport).’

The access requirements stated in the response, should the applicant Howstrake Developments Limited seek full approval, are detailed in the letter. These include the need for ’visibility splays of at least 2.4m x 60m can be achieved in both directions for the site access junction’; that the applicant demonstrates how the site parking, including three disabled spaces with turning space will be provided; shows how cycling provisions will be provided and ’shows the proposed site levels for all road and footway areas’.

Mr Boot also said that from a political reality, ’the island is facing increasing demands for provision of specialist accommodation for its ageing demographic’.