Government defeated as Tynwald rejects North and West Area Plan

Kate Lord-Brennan's amendment to delay approval was voted down before the plan itself was rejected by the Legislative Council

Tynwald has rejected the proposed Area Plan for the North and West, bringing to a halt the government’s latest attempt to establish a planning framework for the region.

The plan - which would have guided future development across Ramsey, Peel, Michael, and the surrounding parishes - was intended to replace older Local Plans and the remaining parts of the 1982 Development Plan. It had been due to come into operation on 1 December 2025.

During the debate, Glenfaba and Peel MHK Kate Lord-Brennan tabled an amendment replacing the word "approved" with "received" - a move which, in effect, would have amounted to rejection on legal grounds. Her amendment called for government to bring forward the Strategic Plan 2021–2041 for consideration as soon as possible, reconsider work on the North and West Area Plan in connection with an All-Island Area Plan, and note that the Objective Assessment of Housing Need has not yet been approved by Tynwald.

Members of the House of Keys voted to defeat the amendment, but when the unamended motion was put to Tynwald, it was rejected by the Legislative Council, meaning the plan failed to secure overall approval.

The Cabinet Office had maintained that the plan followed a statutory and transparent process, while local authorities, MHKs and legal representatives had raised concerns about housing data, infrastructure capacity and consultation.

Government has requested a “combined vote”, in which the branches are merged into one for a separate vote at the next available sitting. However, if the current numbers hold, the government is still expected to be defeated, 14 to 17 against.