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Plantation Plan for Sewage Works
A full planning application is likely to be submitted in the autumn
Manx utilities has confirmed it plans to build a sewage treatment plan for Laxey and Baldrine in Axnfell Plantation.
The proposed solution would finally put an end to the pumping of raw sewage into the sea at Laxey.
After a review of over 50 potential sites, the proposed site is on the north eastern extent of Axnfell, with the MUA saying the site footprint has been ‘minimised to reduce visible and environmental impacts, whilst still allowing space for potential future expansion’.
The treatment process at Axnfell and the provision of UV treatment at the Cairn for storm flows will not prevent the “Excellent” bathing water quality standard being achieved in Laxey. A turbine, housed on the effluent pipeline at the Cairn site, will enable a significant amount of the electricity used to pump sewage up to the Axnfell site to be recovered, reducing the carbon footprint of the scheme.
Chair, Tim Crookall said: ‘I would like to thank our colleagues at DEFA for supporting the progression of a regional sewage treatment site for Garff, and for the community’s patience. Finally, we can get on with delivering a modern sewage treatment process for Garff as outlined in the Island Plan and ultimately cease the pumping of raw sewage to sea on the coasts of our island.’
As part of the planning process, the MUA will be participating in the trial of the Major Planning Applications Process, which involve extensive pre-application consultations. It is believed that a full application will be submitted in the autumn.
The previous plans for a sewage treatment works in Laxey were rejected by planners and were opposed by a significant number of local people who still want to see Laxey added to the now long-abandoned all island IRIS scheme.
The total budget agreed by Tynwald for the works in the east, as well as the new sewage works in Peel, is a combined £40.5m.
