Plans to extend use of silt lagoon sought

The Department of Infrastructre has confirmed plans to continue use of the silt lagoon until end of 2027

The government has confirmed plans to extend the use of a facility which temporarily stores sediment in the west of the Isle of Man while longer-term proposals are finalised.

Constructed in 2020, the silt lagoon is designed to hold about 44,000 tonnes of material from Peel marina and was deemed necessary to maintain access to the berths.

The Department of Infrastructure (DoI) has submitted a planning application to use the facilities until the end of 2027.

Meanwhile, a second planning application will be submitted by the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture for the restoration of Cross Vein Mine where the material will be treated.

Each year, about 3,000 tonnes of silt, containing traces of heavy metals and other contaminants which is largely a result of historic mining operations at Cross Vein Mine, enters the inner harbour from the River Nebb.

Contaminated silt flows into Peel harbour each year leading to a build up of the material in the marina

Last year, the DoI submitted a planning application to extend the use of the temporary lagoon until the end of 2026.

However, a DoI spokesman said the additional extension provides "contingency time" for the material to be moved to Cross Vein Mine before the lagoon is decommissioned.

If both planning applications were approved, the material moved to the mine would be treated to prevent harmful metals from seeping out into the water system.

The government previously said the material could be treated to reuse the silt and avoid it being disposed of through landfill.

A wider programme of works looking at long-term measures to prevent metal deposits from entering the marina is taking place across the River Nebb area, the spokesman continued.