A new development plan is being drawn up for the east of the island.

The areas covered are Douglas, Onchan, Braddan, Laxey, Lonan, Marown and Santon.

It will spell out which areas can be developed for housing, industry and building. But issues such as protection of the natural enviornment and important existing buildings will be taken into account.

The new plan will replace the development plans currently in place in the east.

It will consist of a written statement containing proposals for the development or other use of land in the area and a number of supporting maps.

The current plans for the areas will not be used as a basis for the new plan.

All proposals, recommendations and mapping will be prepared anew.

This stage, which is referred to as ’preliminary publicity’, seeks to invite all those with an interest to comment on the matters which the government’s Cabinet Office intends the Area Plan to deal with.

The matters are explored in the consultation documents and all responses will help to shape the development of a Draft Plan.

Minister for Policy and Reform Chris Thomas MHK said: ’This consultation follows a successful "Call for Sites" exercise. It sets out the findings of that work and brings us closer to a new plan for our capital and surrounding areas.

’This stage is about presenting our evidence gathered so far, setting out the broad topics to be addressed, and seeking views about what the draft plan should look like and include.

’There are obvious issues to consider such as where our new housing land should be, but there are also many other matters to cover such as what land opportunities will be needed for health or education in the future.

’Government has yet to make any decisions and so is open to views and suggestions which will shape the plan. The aim is to bring to everyone’s attention the issues at hand, the processes involved and the evidence that needs to be gathered. There will remain throughout the process however, the underlying aim to achieve "sustainable growth for our island communities".’

The consultation document entitled ’The Area Plan for the East - Preliminary Publicity Consultation Document 2017’, the supporting Annexes, Response Form for comments and other information can be viewed at/downloaded from the https://www.gov.im/tape

All representations, either by email or by post to the department must be received by the deadline of 5pm on Friday, April 21.

The Cabinet Office will then analyse the responses, prepare a Draft Plan, and within 12 months, publish it for further consultation.