Rob Callister sparks multiple ‘foot-shooting’ spree at planning meeting.
The Committee chairman accused of ‘shooting himself in the foot’ after attacking government for policy breach – despite backing controversial Lord Street scheme weeks earlier.
But has he put his foot right in it……again?
Expose News investigates……
- Planning chief Rob Callister blasted the DoI for having ‘shot themselves in the foot’ over Summerland car park proposal
- But critics say he did the same thing himself when he backed the Lord Street luxury flats scheme – and have dubbed him ‘Chairman Two Rules.’
- Island businessman accuses committee chairman of operating ‘two sets of rules’
- Questions raised after affordable housing policy was overridden in major Lord Street decision
- Former Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood also hit out over rejection of temporary parking
- Row reignites anger over stalled and derelict development sites across the Isle of Man
By Felix von Der Geest & Expose News Team
The chairman of the Isle of Man’s planning committee has been accused of ‘shooting himself in the foot’ – after blaming his own government of doing exactly the same thing.
However, as readers of Expose News will be aware, Mr Callister – dubbed ‘Two Rules’ by critics for alleged double-standards – overrode government policy personally, in a separate but highly controversial planning decision, just weeks earlier.
Now, an Island businessman has slammed the Onchan MHK for ‘shooting himself in the foot’ with his latest committee outburst ‘in an active spree of planning hypocrisy, targeted at ordinary people.’
In a different case, Mr Callister recently disregarded official policy on affordable housing when he granted planning permission for a much-contested tower of luxury apartments.
On March 16, the Political Member for the Cabinet Office sparked controversy when he personally intervened, against the advice of his officers, to vote for a new development on Lord Street.
Disappointed planning officers had wanted more value dwellings built, in line with current Tynwald decrees.
But today, a leading member of the Isle of Man’s business community blasted Callister for applying ‘two sets of rules.’
He said: ‘We’ve entered the world of twist, in which planning in the Isle of Man has become a bewildering process of contradictory decisions.
‘Rob is applying double standards.
‘On the one, hand it seems as if he was against government policy one week, but up for it the next.
‘Over the planning permission of a temporary car park at Summerland, he lambasted the DoI for not realising they would breach government policies.
‘However, a few weeks before, he allowed the Lord Street development to proceed without any affordable properties, a direct contravention of government policy.
‘The planning committee’s role is to offer certainty – not be a continually shapeshifting theatre of narratives, in which no one knows what’s going on.’
According to IoM Today, during the planning meeting this week, Mr Callister questioned why the DoI had submitted an application for the Summerland site which was contrary to planning policy.
He said: ‘I’m surprised the DoI did not realise it would breach all these policies. They have shot themselves in the foot.’
His surprising outburst came after he recently commented to Expose News on his previous decision over the Lord Street decision.
Mr Callister exclusively told our reporters: ‘As a general point, planning decisions are thoroughly regulated under both legislation and established procedures.
‘At all committee meetings, a senior planning officer is present to offer impartial procedural advice to both the committee and the public whenever required.
‘I can assure you with absolute confidence that all rules, regulations, and legislation were strictly observed when considering the application for the Lord Street site.’
But observers have asked if rules are applied differently.
The businessman continued: ‘Clearly, there is one set of rules if you are a fat cat property developer, and another if you’re an ordinary punter who wants to park their car near that part of town.
‘ “Two Rules” Rob at it again, isn’t it?’
Former Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood has also waded into the row.
In a social media post, the Rushen MHK added: ‘There is a clear lack of parking at the northern end of the Prom. The site has been used for parking before.
‘Government doesn’t have that sort of money. So why not just make the lives of people who live near this land just a little easier by providing temporary parking.
‘It’s a total nonsense to say this blocks the land from being redeveloped… Instead we can carry on watching the site do nothing.’
She concluded, sarcastically: ‘Well done planning committee… well done.’
Ironically, both the Summerland and Lord Street sites have long been held up as prime examples of the Isle of Man’s infrastructure quagmire.
Expose News cited them both in February last year as places that have remained derelict for years.
Eminent Manx culturalist Charles Guard MBE has also spokenout about the long list of developments on the Island that were promised – but never happened.
