A business tycoon who built a helipad in the grounds of his estate without planning permission has applied for retrospective approval.

Millionaire Alan Potts, who founded the MMD mining equipment company based in Laxey, left neighbours in a spin when he had a helicopter landing pad built at his home at Corony Bridge, Maughold.

Planning enforcement officials received complaints about the helipad, which is complete with a large yellow letter ’H’.

Villagers were concerned at its close proximity to the Laxey to Ramsey coast road, the nearby Corrany housing estate and a bus stop used by schoolchildren.

And a neighbouring farmer was worried that a helicopter would spook his livestock.

Garff Commissioners confirmed that no planning permission had been given to build the landing pad in the grounds of the Ain Chea estate.

Now racehorse owner Mr Potts and his wife Ann have applied for retrospective planning permission (17/00736/B).

The application, dated July 14, is for the ’creation of hardstanding to serve as a helipad, with associated footpath and landscaping’ and is currently pending consideration.

It notes that Mrs Potts has health problems and is particularly vulnerable due to the needs of her medical treatment, relying on the infrequent use of air charter travel to and from the island directly from her home.

The couple point out that they have no helicopter of their own and insist they would not use the helicopter service for more than 28 days a year - which is the maximum amount allowed as permitted development in the UK.

They say they did not realise the creation of the hardstanding required planning consent.