4 February 2026 · Committee
Field 315179, Glenfaba Road, Peel, Isle Of Man, IM5 1ds
This application sought permission for the ongoing operation and decommissioning of a temporary lagoon facility at Field 315179, Ballaterson Farm, Peel. The lagoon, formed by an earth embankment bund with an internal capacity of around 16,000 cubic metres, is used to dewater and store sediment dredged from Peel Marina. Temporary pipelines run along and alongside the River Neb between the farm and the marina. The site covers approximately 1 hectare of former agricultural grazing land immediately south of Peel Power Station. It is bordered by residential properties and a public footpath to the west, and open fields to the south and east. The officer's report considered a range of issues including the need for the facility, highway impacts, effects on the water environment and soil quality, air quality, biodiversity, landscape, and amenity and heritage matters.
The committee approved the application, permitting the continued operation and eventual decommissioning of the temporary lagoon facility until 31 December 2027. The officer also recommended approval. Key issues examined included the need for the facility and lack of alternatives, potential highway impacts, and effects on the water environment, soil quality, air quality, biodiversity, landscape, and amenity. Eight conditions were attached to the permission.
Development should make the best use of resources
The application can accordingly be considered to be compliant with The Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016, Strategic Policies 1,2, 4 and 10
Strategic Policy 1: Development should make the best use of resources by: (a) optimising the use of previously developed land, redundant buildings, unused and under -used land and buildings, and re - using scarce indigenous building materials; (b) ensuring efficient use of sites, taking into account the needs for access, landscaping, open space (1) and amenity standards; and (c) being located so as to utilise existing and planned infrastructure, facilities and services. 4.2.2 In pursuance of (c) abo ve, the Department will, when formulating its programme for the preparation of new Area Plans, have particular regard to: (a) the availability of mains drainage connected to IRIS or other mains systems; (b) securing the future viability of rural primary schools; (c) the public investment in the Island's highway, bus, railway and tramway networks; (d) the provision and availability of water; and (e) community facilities. 4.3 Environment 4.3.1
New development should be located and designed such as to promote a more integrated transport network
The application can accordingly be considered to be compliant with The Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016, Strategic Policies 1,2, 4 and 10
Strategic Policy 10: New development should be located and designed such as to promote a more integrated transport network with the aim to: (a) minimise journeys, especially by private car; (b) make best use of public transport; (c) not adversely affect highway safety for all users, and (d) encourage pedestrian movement (1) Business Park is defined in Appendix 1 4.6 Social 4.6.1 The provision of an adequate supply of housing to meet the needs of the wider community is essential; this is in addition to the need to replace existing substandard or poor quality dwellings. Therefore;
Waste management installations
Existing public rights of way should be retained
Recreation Policy 5: Area Plans will identify areas where improvements to informal access to the countryside can be made and to the public footpath network. Existing public rights of way should be retained and any development which affects these will be permitted only if it p rovides diversions which are no less direct or attractive than existing routes. 10.4 General Leisure 10.4.1 In 2003 the Department of Tourism and Leisure approved a General Leisure Strategy for the Island. It includes sections on: Leisure and Tourism The Manx Countryside Seascape and Coastline National Leisure Facilities Local Leisure Facilities Children and Young People Entertainment and Nightlife Access and Opportunities Funding for Leisure 10.4.2 Each section includes policy statement or statement s and an agenda for action. The policy statement generally accords with the Strategic Objections and Policies of the Strategic Plan. The agenda for action points relate to a number of Government Departments, local authorities and other agencies. Agenda for Action 3.1 suggest that the Department of Local Government and the Environment should designate suitably located land in the Island Strategic Plan for future leisure development. The Department is fully supportive of the policies in the General Leisur e Strategy but the Strategic Plan is not the appropriate vehicle for such a suggestion. The Department will however continue to consult with the Department of Tourism and Leisure in the preparation of Area Plans to establish whether there are appropriate sites for proposals for the provision of additional leisure facilities which accords with the policy framework of the Strategic Plan and the General Leisure Strategy. 10.5 Civic and Community Facilities 10.5.1 Community facilities are those services or facilities that provide for the needs of the Island population. As such, they should be appropriate to the needs of the Island's population and be located as to be easily accessible. Community facilities include community centres, medical facilities, plac es of worship, schools, nurseries, library services and premises which provide an element of care for those sectors of the community that are in need of this. 10.5.2 It is not for the Strategic Plan to address or determine the needs for community facilities, but to address the land use issues arising from such proposals. Where there are known site requirements these will be safeguarded in the relevant Area Plans for that area. Proposals for such uses will therefore be assessed against general criteria based policies. 10.5.3 It is one of Government's general policies to promote equity and equality of access to education, health, community and recreation facilities, services and the wider environment for all sectors of the community. 10.6 Neighbourhood Centres 10.6.1 The provision within residential areas of small shops, often combined with sub -post offices and off -licence facilities, occupies an important place in the range of shopping facilities available. Many people are dependent on such shops, these being the only shops to which access can be gained easily on foot, without relying on public or private transport. In addition, such a facility may not only be considered a desirable service, but may also serve as a focus of community life and help sustain a small community. 10.6.2 Local shopping/neighbourhood centres, typically described as local centres, usually comprise a newsagent, a general grocery store, a sub -post office and occasionally a pharmacy, a hairdresser and other small shops of a loc al nature. Allied to this may also be a community centre/meeting place to serve the immediate local community. With the increased focus on recycling, local centres are ideal sites for local recycling facilities. 10.6.3 In requesting community facilities within new and expanding developments, account needs to be taken of the size, type and particular needs of the new resident population. However, account must also be taken of availability and proximity of existing community facilities. Community benefit in this context is defined as one or more of the following: sub post - office/general store, doctor's surgery and community meeting centres. 10.6.4 The following policy is therefore adopted to ensure the provision of appropriate facilities within new residential developments.
Condition 1
This approval only relates to the use and decommissioning of the de-watering lagoon and discharge pipeline. No approval is given for any additional dredging works within Peel Marina or the deposit of any additional sediment in the de-watering lagoon as part of the development. No approval is given for any works outside the redline boundaries shown on Drawing No. 674/P/003.1 Site Plan (Only Red Line) - Lagoon A1, dated 12th March 2024.
Condition 2
By 31st December 2027, the de-watering lagoon and discharge pipework shall be decommissioned and the site restored in accordance with the details set out in Section 2.4 and paragraphs 2.4.1 - 2.4.11, including Tables 2.6 and 2.7 and Section 11.2 and Paragraphs 11.2.1-11.2.2 and Table 11.1 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, The Bates Partnership, dated April 2025.
Condition 3
The timing of works shall only be undertaken in accordance with the Programme of Works set out in Section 2.4 and Paragraphs 2.4.1-2.4.2 and the the overall timescales set out in Tables 2.4 and 2.5 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, The Bates Partnership, dated April 2025.
Condition 4
The lagoon shall be decommissioned in accordance with the details set out in Section 2.4 and Paragraphs 2.4.6-2.4.11 Tables 2.6 and 2.7 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, The Bates Partnership, dated April 2025. unless otherwise required by conditions set out in this notice.
Condition 5
No pumps shall be used as part of the development hereby permitted unless the details of the pump to be used (including hours of use) have been approved in writing by the Department.
Condition 6
Any dewatering and discharge of dewatering effluent shall be undertaken only in accordance with the details set out in paragraphs 2.4.3 - 2.4.5 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, The Bates Partnership, dated April 2025.
Condition 7
No vegetation clearance (including tree cutting or felling) shall be undertaken unless in accordance with details which have first been approved in writing by the Department, and such details shall include details of any replacement planting that is proposed.
Condition 8
Prior to the commencement of any works to decommission the discharge pipeline, a suitably qualified Ecological Clerk of Works shall be appointed to undertake an updated site walkover survey of the pipeline route corridor to review the habitat suitability and risk assessment, and prepare an updated Common Lizard Mitigation Plan to be submitted to the Department for approval in accordance with Condition No. 7 and approved in writing by the Department prior to the commencement of any works to decommissioning the pipeline, and the development shall be undertaken in full accordance with the approved plan. The Ecological Clerk of Works shall be present on-site during the decommissioning of the discharge pipeline to ensure that pipeline removal also complied with the mitigation measures set out in the mitigation plan Common Lizard Mitigation Plan to avoid impacts on common lizard.
construction, operation and decommissioning of a temporary lagoon facility at Ballaterson Farm for dewatering sediment dredged from Peel Marina, and for the installation, operation and removal of temporary transport and discharge pipelines alongside the River Neb between Ballaterson Farm and Peel Marina
construction of the new Peel Sewage Treatment Works