Five comments and objections received over Ramsey flood defence scheme plans

The Department of Infrastructure says a total of five submissions were received in relation to the proposed Ramsey flood defence scheme.

The planning application, which included a new flood wall and highway drainage upgrades along West Quay, was recently withdrawn shortly after being submitted.

At the time, Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper questioned whether the plans had been withdrawn based on 'a handful of comments' made on social media.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall, having recently taken over the ministerial post from Rushen MHK Michelle Haywood, said a number of 'serious concerns' had been raised locally.

After the plans were withdrawn, Ramsey Town Commissioners said it was 'delighted'.

This figure of five submissions has been provided by the DOI to Mr Hooper in response to a Question for Written Answer.

In response, the Department says they were submitted through the planning portal and related primarily to the proposed height of the flood defence wall and the potential loss of parking.

In addition to the statutory responses, it says verbal and informal written feedback was also received from representatives of the Local Authority, local residents, and the Northern Chamber of Commerce.

The Department adds: 'This included a number of objections to the proposals made by the Local Authority at a Special Board Meeting of Ramsey Town Commissioners on 11 February 2026. 

'While these comments echoed the concerns relating to wall height and parking, they also raised concerns regarding the appropriateness of the design in the context of the character of the town. 

'These informal representations do not form part of the statutory planning process and are therefore not published, but they were considered by the Department as part of its wider stakeholder engagement.'