A second public consultation will be held next week before proposals for the first two phases of a new housing development in Ballasalla are submitted to government planners.

The Dandara Group is seeking to build 282 homes in the area - a mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties.

Plans will also include a by-pass road on the south-eastern side of the village.

The consultation event will take place on Thursday, December 13th at Malew Parish Commissioners’ Office at 4pm.

Dandara architect Sue Cannell and Planning Director David Humphrey will be on hand to answer any questions.

Managing Director Seamus Nugent says: “This is a very exciting development for the south of the Island.

"Our proposal not only addresses the shortage of new homes in the south east of the Island but will greatly alleviate traffic congestion in an area which is known to be particularly bad during peak times.

"The first consultation earlier this year went extremely well and it was very informative for our architect and planning director to meet members of the public and gather their thoughts and feedback.

"We took into consideration what was said and have since refined the design for the project. We look forward to speaking to locals again and sharing with them how we intend to progress the scheme."

The housing development will fund the multi-million link road.

If plans are approved the road would divert traffic away from the village centre, starting with a roundabout at Glashen Hill on Douglas Road, through to Balthane Corner near the entrance to Balthane Industrial Estate, where an improved roundabout would be created.

The road will be constructed to the latest UK highways standards and will be the first road to these standards in the Isle of Man.

It will also be the first major new road to be constructed on the island in decades.