Sulby Claddagh permit fee still 'represents exceptional value' despite price hike

DEFA unveils new charging structure following camping U-turn 

Permits for camping at Sulby Claddagh still represent ‘exceptional value for money' despite significant price hikes which have been introduced.

That's according to the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture which is introducing a new season permit which costs £100.

It follows a U-turn from the department which originally announced plans to prohibit overnight camping this year.  

Political member Michelle Haywood said: “Use of the site was placed in jeopardy for 2023 when DEFA decided that it could no longer continue to make a large financial investment in issuing permits and managing the facility.

“After listening to public opinion it was agreed to find a solution that allowed the site to operate on a cost neutral basis. 

“The unfortunate consequence of this is that permit costs will rise significantly this year for site users so that the running costs are fully funded by the users and not from limited DEFA funds.

“We recognise that the scale of the permit cost increases will seem very large to some but we believe that £100 for a season pass, with no additional pitch fees to be paid, still represents exceptional value for money.”

She spoke to Manx Radio:

Ballamoar has been chosen by the department to run Sulby Claddagh this season.

Weekly, fortnightly and full-season permits are available to people wishing to camp, or stay in their motorhomes, between 3 May and 6 September; there will be 25 pitches available.

People are only allowed to stay for 14 days at a time - a weekly permit costs £20, a fortnightly permit costs £30 and a season permit costs £100.

The permits exclude the TT and MGP periods when there will be 65 pitches available.

To stay during these periods people must buy a £100 permit which allows people to stay for up to 14 days during either event.

Temporary toilets will be provided.

Anyone wishing to obtain a permit should email permit.sulby@gmail.com – once secured people should email pitch.sulby@gmail.com to book their stay.

A six-week consultation has also been launched which explores the future of the 16-acre site – you can find it HERE.