The island’s green gaps should be retained but more clearly defined, the chairman of the eastern area plan inquiry has advised.

Michael Hurley said in his report that by clearly defining green gaps, it would ’avoid doubt’ over areas on land which could be built on.

Green gaps are subject to planning restrictions in order to protect to countryside and avoid coalescence between neighbouring areas such as Baldrine and Laxey.

Mr Hurley said: ’It is a function of the area plan to relate the broad policies set out in the strategic plans to precise areas of land.

’Ideally the boundaries of the green gaps should follow features that are identifiable on the ground.’

During the inquiry, objectors argued that green gaps should be established between Douglas, Union Mills and Strang, something with which Mr Hurley agreed. He accepted that the three settlements are ’at greater and more immediate risk of coalescence than Laxey and Baldrine or Crosby and Glen Vine’.

He added: ’They are separately identified in the strategic plan’s hierarchy; and they each have a distinctive function and character.

’Particular schemes for green gaps, to prevent coalescence between these three settlements, were put forward by the Braddan Parish Commissioners, and by Messrs Ellis Brown Architects.

’The Cabinet Office argued there was no need to identify such gaps in the area plan; but (somewhat inconsistently) also argued that a green area should be left open in the centre of the proposed Camlork development, so as to prevent the coalescence of Union Mills and Strang.’

Mr Hurley recommended the draft area plan be amended to show green gaps to avoid coalescence between areas such as Douglas, Union Mills and Strang.