BADRA 2009.

Ballasalla village hall

7.30pm 19^th January 2009.

The meeting was attended by 47 Villagers including Commissioners and the MHK for Malew & Santon Graham Cregeen. The meeting was chaired by Mr Donald Whittaker a BADRA committee member in the absence of BADRAs Chairman Mrs Gill Roy.

Crossag Farm was the first subject and Mr David Allsebrook Treasurer explained the whole High Court experience and result, thanking the 20 witness for BADRA who had given written evidence and given him power of attorney to represent them. In explaining the failure of J G Kelly to win the Petition of Doleance, it was pointed out that the Acting Deemster Sullivan had stated that she supported the ‘promise’ made by Deemster Luft in planning circular 7/91, to the people of Ballasalla, that no major development should take place in the village until a village plan had been produced. Although previously Government and J G Kelly had declared that the ‘promise’ was irrelevant and expired.

The cost of being represented in the High Court, the meeting was informed, was in excess of £20,000, although we had been granted  by the court 100% costs, the way the workings of  court costs work we shall have to wait and see.

This touched on another subject the on going Petition of Grievance, taken to Tynwald Hill last July 2008 by Mr Donald Whittaker on BADRA’s behalf, having been ‘picked up’ evidence is to be heard on the 9^th February 2009, this petition addresses the imbalance, where a developer can pursue the planning system until objectors can no longer afford to continue.

The long running saga of Poachers Pocket came next the present applications for 2 storey houses to be heard on appeal in the next couple of months, again contrary to the many inspectors’ reports for the development. It was stated by Mr Allsebrook that BADRA would find it very difficult to except conditions on planning decisions as many times conditions have been either totally altered or watered down, and even when alterations have been done for example the building of a bung to reduce possible flooding, the alterations are detrimental to the environment, as in this case where this has caused the death of many trees.

Praise was given in the setting up of a select committee to investigate planning in view of the Poachers Pocket by Graham Cregeen MHK, and its resulting report, although some concern from the floor was aired that although the head of planning had his delegated powers lost, it does not seemed to of made any difference, concern was also voiced as to why it is always Ballasalla that has to be strong and fight these things when the rest of the Island suffers the same problems.

This moved things on to DoLGE’s planning review, the meeting was told that submissions had been made from BADRA and individuals and a call was made for more submissions to sent.

The proposed refurbishment within Clagh Vane was brought up by Mr Eddie Power BADRA Hon Secretary, he pointed out that to the best of his knowledge virtually all the tenants around the north side of the entrance and been allocated new properties, and that upon gaining planning permission and finance the entrance will be widened and the area north of the entrance will be used as a compound after demolition of the houses for storage etc during the refurbishments else where on the estate, then it is possible some form of properties will be built on the site, this is as he stated, not only reliant on planning permission but also Tynwald granting the finance.

CoMINs decision to put to Tynwald that they feel Turkeylands should be the location for disposal of Bottom Ash from the incinerator, after the failure of the Archalligan application was next, Colas had kindly provided earlier in the day a pamphlet on the treatment and management of Bottom Ash this was handed around they have also agreed to make a presentation to members at a later date. Mr Allsebrook reminded the meeting that some 5 or so years earlier Government had said Turkeylands would not be considered. Although the meeting accepted that Colas were probably the best in the Island to deal with the waste, the meeting was still concerned, as it was felt that there was no confidence in government to satisfactorily handle everything else involved with the disposal and to ensure everything was safe and done safely, in short the members were not happy.

Transportation of the ash through the village and surrounding area was very much a concern, one of the ideas from the floor was the repair and reinstatement of the road through Ballawoods so as trucks could avoid the village. Dust was still a concern.

Members were informed that this was not the only option possible as it has been mooted that CITA may well dry and recycle everything themselves at the Incinerator.

The application by Dandara for a roundabout north of Glashen Close on the A5 Douglas Road was met with a resounding No from all, the meeting was reminded that the previous 2 had been turned down, the question ‘why’ was also raised. Members were encouraged to put in objections to the plan.

The subject of the By-Pass / Relief road was raised and decided that it should be pursued vigorously. Concern was aired on the subject of traffic through the village from all routes, the state of the

The Village Plan brought the decision that we must push for this in the light of the 7/91 Promise having been supported now by 2 Deemsters and an Independent Inspector. On the subject of drawing up a draft plan a vote was held which unanimously supported the decision that the Commissioners, our elected representatives, should do this with assistance from all interested parties. It was felt that a draft plan from the village rather than from government was a better idea.

On the subject of any other business a call came from the floor for a Halt sign to be placed on the Castletown side of the Whitestone roundabout, as it has been noted that vehicles are ignoring the roundabout and driving straight on through the village without stopping and not giving consideration to vehicles from

The meeting closed at 9pm.