DAFF Wildlife Consultation Letter

Isle of Man

Government

Rrilltys Ellan Vannin

Wildlife and Conservation Division, Knockaloe Farm, Peel, Isle of Man, IM5 3AJ

Telephone: (01624) 842335/843109 Fax: (01624) 844374 e-mail: [email protected]

Chief Wildlife and Conservation Officer: Elizabeth Charter, MSc, MIEEM, CEnv, MCMI

Miss Sarah Corlett Planning Officer DoLGE Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas

4th December 2006

Dear Sarah,

PA 06/1572/B Extension of airfield by construction of promontory at seaward end of main runway, extensions to main runway at each end, and ancillary works, Ronaldsway Airport

As a result of our meeting with the DoT and your department on the 28th November, I write proposing some planning conditions for consideration if the Planning Committee is minded to approve this application.

Under normal circumstances, survey gaps in the Environmental Impact Assessment should be filled before considering a detailed application. As we have pointed out, it is difficult to consider whether impacts are justified without knowing what those impacts might be, how they would be mitigated, and whether the mitigation is likely to be successful. However, the DoT has indicated that the time constraints of this project do not allow for such a delay. If the project goes ahead, they will need to be on the ground in July, which is very tight. Therefore, as we are not objecting to this application, if the Planning Committee is minded to give consent to the proposal we propose that a condition could allow further marine survey information to be considered at a later date in this special case, influencing mitigation and monitoring proposals through the Environmental Management Plan.

We therefore propose the following conditions.

1. Further subtidal and intertidal marine ecological survey work must be undertaken, including:

a. detailed surveys of the footprint and to 200m from the boundary in the intertidal and marine areas;

b. the location and survey of the ecology of the sea caves; c. wider survey of the marine biotopes from Santon Gorge to Derbyhaven Bay.

The detailed scope of this work will be agreed prior to commencement with the DAFF and DLGE and must form an adequate baseline survey for the monitoring sites. A report, with recommendations for mitigation and monitoring, must be agreed by the Planning Committee following consultation from the DAFF. The report should include a map of the biotopes to be lost under the promontory and the adjacent biotopes that may be affected during the construction process. A clear summary of marine and intertidal features in the footprint and adjacent area should be included and tables indicating the national (Manx) and international status of features and biotopes, the impacts on them, proposed mitigation measures and expected outcome of these measures (following the format used for terrestrial ecology in tables 8.15 – 8.19 of the Environmental Statement (Volume 2). This information should inform the development of the Environmental Management Plan.

1. The finalised Environmental Management Plan must be agreed by the Planning Committee following consultation with the DAFF. It will include details of all of the methods for mitigating or compensating for environmental impacts recognised in the application papers or later surveys and must take account of the further marine survey work. It should also include:

a. detailed methods for dealing with orchids within the work areas; b. detailed methods for dealing with the coastal grassland and agrimony; c. clear, detailed plans for marine and intertidal ecological monitoring. This will include surveys to monitor changes to marine and intertidal habitats and also the appropriate surveys required to monitor seal, cetacean and basking shark use of the area prior to and during the construction process;

1. a monitoring plan for the construction period and for 3 years after construction to determine whether the mitigation/compensation has been successful and address any problems, and to determine the effects on other species impacted by the work, including the birdlife; If the dry stone wall must be removed in the vicinity of the bat roost recorded, a replacement wall must be provided in a location to be agreed with the DAFF and DLGE.

1. If a jetty and conveyor are necessary, the construction details and environmental impacts should be submitted in a report to be agreed by the Planning Committee, which will be based on the results of the further marine survey.

1. The secondary temporary compound must be sited on the south-west side of the museum, not between the museum and the terminal buildings.

1. A consultation group will be set up by the applicant and meet on a regular basis to discuss matters with interested parties as they arise prior to and during construction.

1. Work must not start until the matters covered in the conditions have been agreed by the Planning Committee.

I hope that this helps in your consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Richard G Selman Wildlife & Conservation Officer (Zoologist)