The government’s proposals to reform the planning system should see more development of brownfield areas.

Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas said the ’Reform of the Planning System’ report that was laid before Tynwald had ’significant initiatives to target brownfield redevelopment’.

They included a policy of not normally allowing vacant sites to be used as temporary car parks, to try to encourage redevelopment.

Another proposal, he said, was: ’Reviewing how the use of compulsory purchase powers and the reduction in rates’ discounts associated with brownfield sites can be changed to stimulate early development.’

Just a month ago, Tynwald appointed a select committee to look at ways of revitalising town centres while protecting the countryside.

The man behind that, Bill Shimmins (Middle), welcomed a similar sentiment in the government action plan.

The plan sets out legislative changes and planning initiatives which the government claims will make the system ’more dynamic, flexible and responsive’.

It includes the introduction of national policy directives, which could, with Tynwald approval, lead to a development plan being overridden in an effort to make planning ’more responsive to changing needs’.

The plans also propose the introduction of a community infrastructure levy which will aim to ensure new projects provide not only economic benefits but wider ranging environmental and social benefits.

The new planning system would also introduce online submission of planning applications which it is hoped will further streamline the system.

The government has also committed to completing the eastern area plan ’as a matter of urgency’ when plans for the west and north will begin with an expected completion date of late 2021.

Mr Thomas’s comments came as he gave a statement on the reform proposals to Tynwald last week.

He added: ’By 2020, significant change will have been delivered and our focus will turn to a full review of the strategic plan and the Planning Act, along with an audit of the island’s built heritage assets to complete the programme of reform to our planning system.’

He added: ’There is much about the planning system that remains appropriate for the island and, reflecting this, the action plan introduces targeted improvements that will modernise processes and policies making them more dynamic, flexible and responsive, while continuing to provide robust regulation and protection of our built and natural, national environment.’