These are policy prefixes from the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016. GP (General Policy) covers broad development principles, EP (Environment Policy) protects natural and built heritage, HP (Housing Policy) governs residential development, and TP (Transport Policy) addresses roads, parking, and access. Each policy is cited by planning officers when assessing applications.

Which Isle of Man planning policies are cited most often?

General Policy 2 (GP2), which sets out the presumption in favour of development that respects amenity and character, is among the most frequently cited policies island-wide. Environment Policy 1 (EP1) on landscape protection and Transport Policy 4 (TP4) on parking are also heavily referenced. This page ranks every policy by citation count.

Do I need planning permission for a house extension on the Isle of Man?

The Isle of Man has permitted development rights allowing certain minor works — including some extensions — without a full planning application. These rights depend on factors like your property's location, conservation area status, and the scale of the extension. Check Housing Policy HP11 and General Policy GP2 for guidance on what is normally acceptable.

How do Area Plan policies differ from Strategic Plan policies?

The Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016 sets island-wide policies, while Area Plans — such as the Area Plan for the East or the Area Plan for the South — contain site-specific allocations and local policies that supplement the Strategic Plan. Officers consider both when assessing any application. This page covers policies from all adopted plans.

What does a policy's approval rate tell me?

The approval rate for each policy shows the percentage of applications citing that policy that were approved. A policy with a high approval rate tends to be used supportively by officers, while a lower approval rate may indicate it is frequently cited as a reason for refusal. Use this to assess how a relevant policy is applied in practice on the Isle of Man.