The island’s planning committee will be able to sit remotely, after another new emergency power was drafted.

Responsible for ruling on planning applications, the committee usually sits every other Monday in Murray House, Douglas. However, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it has been unable to meet since March 16, although planning applications have continued to come in.

To resolve the issue an order, by Governor in Council, will allow the members to hold their meetings online.

The order states: ’For the duration of these regulations, meetings of the Planning Committee will be able to occur electronically and in private where it is not practicable to hold them in public.

’In addition, planning applications may be deferred to a later Committee meeting if agreed by the Committee.’

The Regulations contain temporary modifications of the principal Order relating to the functioning of the Planning Committee constituted under section 39C of the Town and Country Planning Act 1999.

Chaired by Ayre and Michael MHK Tim Baker, the planning committee is responsible for ruling on applications from companies, people, charities and the government.

Members take advice from government departments, in particular the highways division of the Department of Infrastructure, local authorities and statutory boards such as Manx National Heritage.

They also receive submissions from residents, either for or against an application, and hear verbal statements from people affected by an application.

Decisions it makes can be appealed to the Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, currently Geoffrey Boot, or the Council of Ministers.