Ballakinnag Sand Pit, Ballakinnag Road, Smeale, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM7 4bs
The proposal seeks permission for mineral extraction across approximately 47ha of agricultural fields immediately west of the existing Point of Ayre Quarry, involving phased working in a northerly direction to create smaller waterbodies upon restoration to wetland habitat including lagoons, grassland, scrub, and reedbe…
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Strategic Policy 4
Requires proposals to protect/enhance nature conservation value especially adjacent to ASSIs; DEFA objects citing failure for northern fields due to impacts on protected habitats/species.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside and ecology for its own sake unless overriding national need; cited against quarrying ecologically valuable fields.
Environment Policy 4
Prohibits development adversely affecting international/national/local species/habitats including protected species, ASSIs, Ramsar; DEFA states northern fields contravene due to fungi, invertebrates, birds.
Environment Policy 5
Requires conditions/planning agreements for mitigation where ENV4 sites affected; DEFA notes no achievable compensation for fungi grassland.
General Policy 3
Permits minerals as overriding national need outside zoned areas; ES argues site safeguarded but DEFA objects on ecological grounds.
Minerals Policy 1
Requires EIA for minerals winning; application includes ES but consultee objects.
DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team objects to the quarry extension due to ecological impacts on high-value habitats and protected species in specific northern fields, while having no concerns with southern fields.
Key concern: Impacts on globally endangered and vulnerable fungi species and waxcap grasslands meeting ASSI criteria with no realistic mitigation/compensation
DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team
ObjectionObjection due to lack of information and site-specific concerns; The application is contrary to Strategic Policy 4 (b), Environment Policies 1, 4 & 5; Additional habitat assessment must be undertaken, and mitigation plans agreed for heath bee-fly and scarce crimson and gold moth, prior to determination; There are no realistic mitigations or compensations for the loss of high value fungi areas; Submit a CEMP to DEFA for comment and approval prior to construction
Conditions requested: Limit extraction to southern fields 114429, 114273, 114272 & 114271 with conditions to secure mitigation; Submit Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) to DEFA for approval prior to construction including measures for protected species, sites, noise/hydrological monitoring, pollution prevention; Undertake additional targeted habitat assessment and surveys for protected invertebrates prior to determination; Survey off-site compensation area by mycologist to confirm suitability; Noise limit of 53 dB LAeq rather than 55 dB LAeq at ASSI/NNR; Ground nesting bird checks by ecological consultant during breeding season; Habitat restoration plan detailing staging of creation secured by condition
Beach Cottage
ObjectionI object to this planning application as fields 114408, 114315, 114409, 114295, 110111 and 114279 are of high conservation value; The proposal to replace these habitats with wetlands... is not a satisfactory replacement... and is not like for like; There are no realistic mitigations or compensations for the loss of high value fungi areas
Conditions requested: If permitted, compensation focused on same type of ecological features with equivalent functionality (CIEEM 2018); Reinstate grazing management on current habitats
Isle of Man Fungus Group
ObjectionThis area is very important species-rich waxcap fungus grassland, which is scarce and threatened... should not be used for aggregate extraction; The proposed mitigation location certainly does not provide that equivalent in terms of area or habitat quality; There are no realistic mitigations or compensations for the loss of high value fungi areas
Conditions requested: Protect 17.5ha northern grassland from extraction; If permitted: assess proposed and alternative mitigation sites; research translocation outcomes; explain ongoing management/funding; If protected: implement conservation measures
