TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.

For 14 years or so, I have been acting as HONORARY PLANNING OFFICER to the SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE MANX COUNTRYSIDE & ENVIRONMENT (S.P.M.C.& E.).

At the half-year point I gave notice to the Society that I intended to retire from this post at the end of the 2007 planning year. This was effectively last Tuesday 14th . January 2008.

As I hold the records and planning data for 2007, I shall continue to receive and file on-going Decision Notices, Appeal matters etc. bearing the 07 (or earlier) pre-fix but everything with an 08 planning number should be sent to the Society's Chairman who is taking over my duties.

All forward planning issues will similarly be his responsibility.

I shall very much miss both the work and the interaction with so many interesting people, both in the private sector and in Government. Alas, age and failing eyesight make it inevitable.

With kind regards to all concerned,

Ian K Bleasdale, Chartered Surveyor etc.

Dear All,

The Society greatly appreciates the work Ian has done voluntarily on planning issues over such a large number of years. He has always been professional, diligent and independent in his stance on individual applications. I remember when he first started that he made it very clear he was not interested in who the applicant was i.e. their name, only in the merits or otherwise of the planning application. He has been true to his word.

Week after week he, and latterly with the help of Elizabeth, has concientiously attended the Planning Department, meticulously examining the detail of the applications, noting omissions, ensuring everything was in order as regards the multitude of regulations etc and then sending in comprehensive notes to the Society for our approval, and passing the final article to the Planning Committee. Moreover he has attended Appeals, Inquiries by the dozen.

On behalf of all my colleagues at the Society I wish to pass on our most heartfelt thanks and good wishes to Ian and Elizabeth for all their work and friendship. I wish them a long, healthy and happy retirement.

Well done you good and faithful servant.

Yours sincerely,

Charles Flynn.

Chairman,

SPMCE.