Applicant's Planning Statement

Proposed Sculpture

At The Smelt, Fort Island Road, Langness

The Applicant'S Planning Statement

This is the detailed planning application for the erection of a sculpture of brent geese, which is to be mounted on a concrete plinth and illuminated by solar powered uplighters.

The Applicant has formed a vehicle called Nature Vannin Langness to draw an interest in and to protect the Isle of Man's natural environment and its native wildlife. The goal is to align with the nation's biosphere and biodiversity aspirations, promoting different ways of interacting with and importantly safeguarding the Isle of Man's natural heritage for future generations.

The Brent Goose is a small dark goose, and is a familiar sight around the estuaries and sea loughs on the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland. They can be seen from September through to April. These birds breed in the Canadian High Arctic and annually undergo the perilous migration to this region, where virtually the entire population winters. The geese feed primarily on vegetation growing on intertidal mudflats, such as eelgrass and various algae.

Langness is a perfect haven for these magnificent geese and it is therefore highly appropriate that the sculpture is placed at the entrance to Langness peninsula, as a constant reminder that we need to protect our natural heritage for now and future generations. It demonstrates our commitment and support to protecting the wildlife that graces our shores for 8 months of the year.

By locating the sculpture at The Smelt at the junction of the Fort Island Road and the Langness Road, the Applicant has made it a gateway feature for those entering the Langness peninsula; raising awareness of the natural heritage of the penninsula.