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Administrative error leaves planning appeal decisions open to legal challenge

Picture Credit: Tynwald

DEFA Minister admits wrong section of act was used to delegate powers

The environment, food and agriculture minister admits decisions on planning appeals could be subject to legal challenge following an administrative error.

Clare Barber was asked about the decision to delegate her ministerial responsibility to a political member at this morning's sitting of the House of Keys.

Glenfaba & Peel MHK Kate Lord-Brennan questioned whether planning appeal decisions made following the mistake can be considered valid.

Ms Lord-Brennan raised the topic following the decision to overturn the planning committee's refusal of planning applications relating to telegraph poles for fibre broadband in Peel.

The paperwork referenced a section of the Town and Country Planning Act that does not exist.

The minister was asked how many appeals in total have been made this error in place; she did not have the total to hand, but committed to circulate the figure to members at a later point.

While Minister Barber accepts errors were made, she insists the delegated power itself was used correctly:

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