Jurby wants development, but doubts government commitment

The Jurby community wants to see more facilities on offer in the parish, but some still doubt government’s commitment to develop the area.

That’s the view of Angela Quaggin, who runs Jurby and Northern Community Initiatives, a charity focused on improving opportunities for the village.

£1.8 million is set aside in the latest government budget to develop and improve Jurby, with concepts such as new homes, a BMX track, and community gardens all mooted.

Initial plans by the Department of Infrastructure also include a ‘shipping container cluster’ to provide work spaces, craft studios, and community meeting rooms.

The department chose not to conduct a consultation with residents when drawing up the plans, so last summer a series of public meetings was held.

Residents listed what they wanted to see offered in the village, and fed their views back to the DOI.

Mrs Quaggin says many want to see affordable housing built to sustain the community.

There’s also a feeling in Jurby that existing assets aren’t utilised to their full potential.

Units in the industrial park lay vacant, whilst the community centre, built in 2012 at a cost of £1.6 million, isn’t used by the health services.

Instead, it plays home to Mrs Quaggin’s charity, which uses it to run community-led events.

She says the department’s exact plans for the area have yet to be unveiled, and with previous promises made to the people of Jurby failing to materialise, many remain distrustful of government commitments.