Tourist accommodation

Summary

The requester asked for the number of private properties granted additional or change of use for tourist accommodation over the last five years. The authority could not provide the exact data due to recording limitations but supplied the total number of applications containing the word 'tourist' for each year.

Key Facts

• The Planning and Building Control Department does not record a specific development type for changes from residential to tourism.
• The provided figures represent applications received with 'tourist' in the proposal, not necessarily approved changes of use.
• The data excludes whether applications were for additional use, change from tourism, or involved private properties.
• The figures do not account for refused, pending, or withdrawn applications.
• Approval of a change of use does not guarantee the applicant will exercise the permission.

Data Disclosed

• 2020 – 28
• 2021 – 26
• 2022 – 35
• 2023 – 31
• 2024 - 38
• 2025-01-30
• 2025-02-07
• 4410153

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held or cannot be found after taking reasonable steps

Original Request

In each of the last five years, how many private properties have granted either additional or change of use to be designated as tourist accommodation.

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 4410153 7 February 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 30 January 2025, which states:

"In each of the last five years, how many private properties have granted either additional or change of use to be designated as tourist accommodation."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. This is because whilst the Planning and Building Control Department do record applications by development type, there is no ‘type’ which specifically captures a change from residential to tourism.

To offer advice and assistance, the information below identifies the number of applications received for change of use with ‘tourist’ in the proposal.

• 2020 – 28 • 2021 – 26 • 2022 – 35 • 2023 – 31 • 2024 - 38

It is important to note that the numbers above do not take into account: • whether the application is additional and/or a change to tourism or from tourism • whether the property was ‘private’
• refused, pending or withdrawn applications • application for a certificate of lawfulness of use or development

It is also important to note that where an application for a change of use may be approved, the applicant may not exercise their permission.

Please quote the reference number 4410153 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

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An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

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1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.

In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision.

More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im.

Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.