Public Rights of Way - Poyll Dooey, Ramsey

Summary

A request was made regarding the status of a Section 88 Highways Act application for public rights of way at Poyll Dooey, Ramsey. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the submission date and current status but withheld draft maps and orders under a policy formulation exemption.

Key Facts

• The formal request for public rights of way was submitted on 30 March 2023.
• The request is currently awaiting final review and agreement of the maps.
• Delays are attributed to increasing departmental pressures and the absence of a dedicated staff member.
• Draft maps and orders were withheld to protect the deliberative process of government policy.
• No timeframe can be confirmed for the Order to go to Tynwald.

Data Disclosed

• 30 March 2023
• 18 November 2025
• 12 December 2025
• Section 88
• Section 34(1)(a)
• 5087585

Exemptions Cited

• Section 34(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (formulation or development of government policy)

Original Request

Good evening, It is in public record from the failed planning application for a housing estate at Poyll Dooey that a formal application has been lodged under the Highways Act 1986 for the public rights of way at Poyll Dooey, Ramsey, to be put in a statutory footing under Section 88 of this Act. This public open space is really important for the people of Ramsey. Please can you tell me: A) When was this request submitted? B) What is happening with this request? C) Why is it taking so long? D) Has the request been refused, and if so when and why? E) Have you draw up a map of the proposed PRoW? If so, please provide. F) Gave you drawn up a draft Order? If so, please provide? G) What is the proposed timeframe for this Order to go to Tynwald? Thank you,

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 5087585 12 December 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 18 November 2025, which states:

"Good evening,

It is in public record from the failed planning application for a housing estate at Poyll Dooey that a formal application has been lodged under the Highways Act 1986 for the public rights of way at Poyll Dooey, Ramsey, to be put in a statutory footing under Section 88 of this Act. This public open space is really important for the people of Ramsey.

Please can you tell me:

A) When was this request submitted?

B) What is happening with this request?

C) Why is it taking so long?

D) Has the request been refused, and if so when and why?

E) Have you draw up a map of the proposed PRoW? If so, please provide.

F) Gave you drawn up a draft Order? If so, please provide?

G) What is the proposed timeframe for this Order to go to Tynwald?

Thank you,"

Our response to your request is as follows:

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information regarding questions E and F are exempt from disclosure under section 34(1)(a) of the Act as it is held by the Department of Infrastructure and it relates to the formulation or development of government policy.

As section 34 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large.

Factors in favour of disclosure

Promotes openness on how policies are developed.

External scrutiny may lead to better-quality policy outcomes.

Factors in favour of withholding

If the draft order relates to interdepartmental or external negotiations, disclosure could weaken the government's position. - To protect the deliberative process and provide a safe space to protect information in the early stages of policy formulation and development. - Drafts may not reflect final decisions and could cause confusion. - If the draft order involves implementation steps, premature disclosure could disrupt preparatory work or create compliance issues.

In taking these factors into account the Department of Infrastructure determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

The following details can be released by the Department: A. The request was received on the 30th March 2023. B. The Department is awaiting the final review and agreement of the maps. The Department needs to ensure that should one Order fail, it does not inadvertently impact other Orders. C. The process for any Public Rights of Way (PROW) matter is lengthy and highly regulated. PROWs are strongly protected under legislation, meaning they cannot be created or altered without a thorough and compliant process. This is further impacted by: • Increasing pressures across all Departments • Elements of the process falling outside the Department of Infrastructure, where priorities are beyond our control • Changes in the Departments priorities and the absence of a dedicated staff member to process PROW orders These factors combined have contributed to the delay. D. The request is still under review. E. Exempt under Section 34(1)(a)

F. Exempt under Section 34(1)(a) G. The Department cannot confirm a timeframe, due to reasons explained in part C.

Please quote the reference number 5087585 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

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.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 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.