Recreational Policy 5
Source: Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016
Recreation
Policy 5: Area Plans will identify areas where improvements to informal access to the countryside can be made and to the public footpath network.
Existing public rights of way should be retained and any development which affects these will be permitted only if it provides diversions which are no less direct or attractive than existing routes.
10.4.1 In 2003 the Department of Tourism and Leisure approved a General Leisure Strategy for the Island. It includes sections on:
10.4.2 Each section includes policy statement or statements and an agenda for action. The policy statement generally accords with the Strategic Objections and Policies of the Strategic Plan. The agenda for action points relate to a number of Government Departments, local authorities and other agencies. Agenda for Action 3.1 suggest that the Department of Local Government and the Environment should designate suitably located land in the Island Strategic Plan for future leisure development. The Department is fully supportive of the policies in the General Leisure Strategy but the Strategic Plan is not the appropriate vehicle for such a suggestion. The Department will however continue to consult with the Department of Tourism and Leisure in the preparation of Area Plans to establish whether there are appropriate sites for proposals for the provision of additional leisure facilities which accords with the policy framework of the Strategic Plan and the General Leisure Strategy.
10.5.1 Community facilities are those services or facilities that provide for the needs of the Island population. As such, they should be appropriate to the needs of the Island's population and be located as to be easily accessible. Community facilities include community centres, medical facilities, places of worship, schools, nurseries, library services and premises which provide an element of care for those sectors of the community that are in need of this.
10.5.2 It is not for the Strategic Plan to address or determine the needs for community facilities, but to address the land use issues arising from such proposals. Where there are known site requirements these will be safeguarded in the relevant Area Plans for that area. Proposals for such uses will therefore be assessed against general criteria based policies.
10.5.3 It is one of Government's general policies to promote equity and equality of access to education, health, community and recreation facilities, services and the wider environment for all sectors of the community.
10.6.1 The provision within residential areas of small shops, often combined with sub-post offices and off-licence facilities, occupies an important place in the range of shopping facilities available. Many people are dependent on such shops, these being the only shops to which access can be gained easily on foot, without relying on public or private transport. In addition, such a facility may not only be considered a desirable service, but may also serve as a focus of community life and help sustain a small community.
10.6.2 Local shopping/neighbourhood centres, typically described as local centres, usually comprise a newsagent, a general grocery store, a sub-post office and occasionally a pharmacy, a hairdresser and other small shops of a local nature. Allied to this may also be a community centre/meeting place to serve the immediate local community. With the increased focus on recycling, local centres are ideal sites for local recycling facilities.
10.6.3 In requesting community facilities within new and expanding developments, account needs to be taken of the size, type and particular needs of the new resident population. However, account must also be taken of availability and proximity of existing community facilities. Community benefit in this context is defined as one or more of the following: sub post-office/general store, doctor's surgery and community meeting centres.
10.6.4 The following policy is therefore adopted to ensure the provision of appropriate facilities within new residential developments.
1
Citations
100.0%
Approval Rate
2019
Peak Year
Castletown
Top Parish
