Government plans to spend £8.2 million on new homes in Ballasalla came under fire in Tynwald - for building too few ’low-energy’ properties in the scheme.

Of the 51 public sector homes due to be built at Clagh Vane - replacing 42 that were demolished - eight will be to low-energy standards.

But that proportion was too low for some Tynwald members, when the project came before them for approval last week.

Daphne Caine (Garff) said it was ’frankly, not enough’.

Dr Alex Allinson (Ramsey) added: ’If we are going to be serious about meeting our national target to mitigate climate change, now is the time to be bold and to state that, in the future, all new public sector builds will be low-energy homes.’

Members, however, voted to support the funding of the final two phases of the Clagh Vane housing redevelopment.

The scheme also includes two units for disabled tenants and scope for up to seven first-time buyer houses, subject to demand.

Building work is now expected to start in September.

When completed in 2019, it will see end of a long-term scheme to demolish and replace the oldest homes in Clagh Vane, which first got under way in 2009.

Responding to calls for more low energy homes in public sector schemes, Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer said: ’In essence, the aspiration I agree with. But, I do think this is quite an exciting thing and a real step forward for our community and to provide sustainable housing.’