Extension sought for Westmoreland Village scheme 

Approval was greenlit in May 2025 but has not yet been finalised

The Manx Development Corporation has sought an extension until January 2027 to sign a Section 13 agreement for the Westmoreland Village scheme.

Treasury has backed the request amid concerns over rising construction costs and the corporation's uncertain future.

In an email, dated 9 July 2026, MDC Managing Director Dane Harrop said that the proposed extension would allow the final elements of the Section 13 agreement to be agreed along with any standalone agreements needed as part of the process.

That email, sent to Treasury and the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture, states that the outcome of an ongoing consultation is key to clarifying MDC's future structure.

A Treasury officer said it 'would support MDC in a request to extend the deadline' until January 2027 on the basis that Treasury has commissioned a review into the impact of rising construction costs on brownfield regeneration. 

The review, carried out by Atkins Realis at the request of the Brownfield Regeneration Steering Group, was completed in June 2026 but has not yet been published. 

The review is assessing the impact of construction cost inflation on brownfield viability, evaluating MDC's performance and strategic position, examining financial sustainability and reviewing the effectiveness of government support schemes such as the Island Infrastructure Scheme.

It noted that the extended review leaves MDC facing challenges in committing to new projects stating it would be "inappropriate, at this stage, to raise expectations and commitments that may not be realised."

A full report is expected to be presented to Tynwald by the end of the calendar year with policy options to be considered by the next administration regarding MDC's future function and operating model.

Planning approval for the Westmoreland Village scheme was granted in May 2025 but has not yet been confirmed as MDC does not own all the land required for the project.

While Treasury backed the request it is not yet confirmed whether the Planning Committee has approved it.