The Battle for Ballakilley is hotting up - with residents of Rushen urged to submit their views to a landgrab inquiry.

A public inquiry will take place next month into a proposal by Port Erin to extend its boundary to include all of the Ballakilley housing estate.

Port Erin commissioners argue the extension will overcome an ’iniquitous’ situation, in which more houses - 90 when plans were first drawn up - are in Port Erin, but pay considerably higher rates than the 66 houses on the Rushen parish side of the boundary.

But Rushen Parish Commissioners oppose the move, saying Port Erin is land grabbing to generate more income.

The public inquiry will take place at Castletown Civic Centre in the week beginning Monday January 21 and will be chaired by Geoff Karran MBE.

Meanwhile, clerk to Rushen Commissioners Phil Gawne has written to all Ballakilley residents on his parish’s side of the estate to point out that if Port Erin is successful, their rates will increase by an average of almost £250.

He said: ’Rushen Parish Commissioners are fighting hard to stop this unreasonable attempt to boost Port Erin’s income but we need your help.

’If Port Erin is successful in its bid to take your property inside its boundary, based on current rates charged in both authorities, the rates paid in the Rushen part of the Ballakilley estate will increase by a total of £18,081.44 - an average increase of £247.68 per property. For the extra £247.68 per year, Port Erin will empty your bin once a week rather than the Rushen fortnightly collection.’

Mr Gawne said Rushen currently charges £60 as a one-off payment to purchase a second bin and £40 a year for collection and disposal of waste.

He said the inquiry cannot consider the impact of the rate income lost or gained by Port Erin or Rushen - but it can consider the impact of rate rises on individual households.

Urging residents to submit their views to the inquiry, Mr Gawne said: ’If you were to explain the impact the increase will have on you this will be a big help.’

Views and concerns have to be submitted by 5.30pm on December 14 to [email protected] or by post to the chairperson c/o Local Government Unit, Department of Infrastructure, Sea Terminal, Douglas, IM1 2RF.

Two copies should be submitted. All members of the public are welcome to attend the inquiry and Ballakilley residents will have the right to speak at the inquiry.

Those wishing to give evidence or question other witnesses will have to be granted interested party status - and need to request that in writing, again in duplicate, to the chairman by December 14.

Mr Gawne said, however, that residents will be granted interested party status as late as the morning of the inquiry.

He added: ’The commissioners strongly urge you to submit your views and seek interested party status as this will help demonstrate the strength of feeling among Rushen’s Ballakilley residents.’

Residents can send a proxy to speak at the inquiry on their behalf. The inquiry is expected to last two to three days.

In his letter to residents Mr Gawne wrote: ’The inquiry will be interested to know whether you feel part of Rushen or whether you have a keen desire to become a Port Erin resident - so please feel free to expand on this point.

’Please help your commissioners fight this un-neighbourly action by Port Erin Commissioners!’

A copy of Port Erin’s application can be seen at the Sea Terminal or the DoI’s website.