The Council of Ministers has agreed that Government’s planning and housing functions should be transferred to different Departments, subject to Tynwald approval.
 
Planning and building control, currently part of the Department of Infrastructure, will join other regulatory functions at the Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture. This is seen as a more appropriate home for the function than the DOI, which as the owner of the majority of Government’s property often submits planning applications which have to be dealt with outside the Department to avoid a conflict of interest.
 
Planning policy, as distinct from the operation of the planning system, will remain with the DOI for the time being. As it is a matter of central strategic importance, the intention is to transfer planning policy to the Cabinet Office in due course.
 
The Housing Division, currently part of the Department of Health and Social Care, will transfer to the Department of Infrastructure, where the Local Government Unit has responsibility for liaison with the Island’s Local Authorities. Both the Housing Division and the Local Government Unit have responsibilities under the Local Government Act for considering petitions for borrowing by Local Authorities. In addition the Department of Infrastructure already maintains Government owned public sector housing of just over 1200 units.