An application by Dandara Homes Ltd to build 47 new homes in the west of the island has been unanimously approved by planners.

Dandara is building the new homes on land south of Ballatessan Meadow, in Peel.

Planners gave their total support to the scheme, despite some minor concerns from the local authority and objectors.

Planner Sarah Corlett recommended to the planning committee that it should approve the application as it was ’considered to accord with the relevant policies of the strategic plan and it is not considered that there are any further material considerations which would justify refusal of the application’.

Her report made reference to the plan ’not being ideal’ for public transport access but discounted this as a reason to refuse permission.

The houses include a mix of two, three and four-bed housing with 11 affordable homes.

Under planning policy, Dandara would have been required to provide 12 affordable homes. However, the Department of Infrastructure indicated it would rather Dandara build 11 homes and pay £18,000 in a commuted sum, which the company agreed with.

Public open space is provided through small areas of amenity space on the east of the entrance, either side of the terrace of plots 17-20, to the east of plots 41 and 42 and principally in a larger area for recreation alongside the nursing home. A children’s play area is also included.

Peel Commissioners had objected to the bid saying ’the development does not take into account the provision of the necessary infrastructure to support the development of the adjacent land which is designated for residential development’. The board said it believed it did not consider that ’the development makes sufficient provision for pedestrian access to the schools and the design and alignment of the houses maximise the number of dwellings rather than their ability to maximise natural sources of light and heat’.

Despite these concerns, planners and Dandara came to an agreement over conditions for approving the application including making the development more wildlife friendly, ensuring each house has two car spaces prior to occupation and agreement reached over the planting scheme for native plants and trees.