costal erosion line

Summary

The requester sought maps, criteria, property lists, and reports regarding the coastal erosion line in Kirk Michael for the Draft Area Plan. The Cabinet Office disclosed that the map and supporting reports are publicly available online, while stating they do not hold the criteria or property lists, directing the requester to the Department of Infrastructure.

Key Facts

• The requested coastal erosion line map is available in the Coastline Management Zone (Kirk Michael) Designation Order 2007.
• The Cabinet Office does not hold the criteria and methodology used to determine the erosion line.
• The Cabinet Office does not hold a list of residential properties affected by the erosion line.
• Strategic erosion risk assessments and economic appraisals are available on the IoM Flood Hub website.
• The Department of Infrastructure was identified as the likely holder of the missing information.

Data Disclosed

• 2025-11-18
• 2025-12-30
• 2007
• 5093521
• Article 4
• 2007-0571

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Isle of Man Freedom of Information Act 2015 (information already reasonably accessible)

Original Request

Freedom of Information Request - Coastal Erosion Line, Kirk Michael Under the Isle of Man Freedom of Information Act 2015, I am submitting this request for information relating to the Draft Area Plan for the North & West and the designation of the coastal erosion line in Kirk Michael. Specifically, I request: A copy of the mapped coastal erosion line used to inform the settlement boundary and land designations in Kirk Michael. The criteria and methodology applied in determining this line. A list of all residential properties identified as being affected by the coastal erosion line, including the number of houses impacted. Any supporting reports, studies, or assessments that informed the designation of the coastal erosion line in Kirk Michael.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

1

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244
Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 5093521 01 December 2025

Dear ###

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

“Freedom of Information Request - Coastal Erosion Line, Kirk Michael

Under the Isle of Man Freedom of Information Act 2015, I am submitting this request for information relating to the Draft Area Plan for the North & West and the designation of the coastal erosion line in Kirk Michael.

Specifically, I request:

A copy of the mapped coastal erosion line used to inform the settlement boundary and land designations in Kirk Michael.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. The information that you have requested is available online. The Coastline Management Zone (Kirk Michael) Designation Order 2007 and it's boundary are mapped out in Article 4 of the order here: https://www.legislation.gov.im/cms/images/LEGISLATION/SUBORDINATE/2007/2007- 0571/2007-0571.pdf.

The criteria and methodology applied in determining this line.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested. However, you may wish to contact the Department of Infrastructure who may be able to help you, or submit a Freedom of Information request directly to the Department of Infrastructure here:
https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/make-a-freedom- of-information-request/. Department of Infrastructure, Head Office, Sea Terminal, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF. E-mail: Enquiries@Highways.gov.im.

A list of all residential properties identified as being affected by the coastal erosion line, including the number of houses impacted.

The Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested. However, you may wish to contact the Department of Infrastructure who may be able to help 2 you, or submit a Freedom of Information request directly to the Department of Infrastructure here: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of- information/make-a-freedom-of-information-request/. Department of Infrastructure, Head Office, Sea Terminal, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF. E-mail: Enquiries@Highways.gov.im.

Any supporting reports, studies, or assessments that informed the designation of the coastal erosion line in Kirk Michael.

Under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. The information that you have requested is available online. All strategic erosion risk assessments and economical appraisals for Kirk Michael can be found online on the IoM Flood Hub website: https://iomfloodhub.im/your-area- menu/kirk-michael/.

Please quote the reference number 5093521 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. 3 I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours faithfully