Peel regions sewage treatment works plans approved

Manx Utilities said the treatment works would be up and running by the end of 2026

Plans for a regional sewage treatment plant in the west of the Isle of Man, which would prevent the pumping of raw sewage out to sea have been approved.

The Peel Sewage Treatment Works, situated west of Glenfaba Road, were unanimously supported by the members of the planning committee.

Manx Utilities' plans are part of the government's £40m regional treatment project, with Peel one of two remaining outstanding areas to be addressed.

Chairman of Manx Utilities John Wannenburgh said the approval meant it was "one step closer to finally putting an end to the discharge of raw sewage to sea for our island".

"On completion, the works will provide a huge improvement to our marine environment and to Peel," he added.

Manx utilities said construction was due to start in early autumn, with the facility due to be functional by the end of 2026.

'National need'

Under the proposals, sewage will be pumped from the existing Peel sewage pumping station on the town's promenade to the site of the treatment plant.

Once treated, the waste will flow by gravity, connecting to current infrastructure and will be discharged through the existing sea outfall.

The plans would see the construction of a new site access road, a motor control centre, seven integral rotating biological contactors to treat the waste, flow distribution chambers, UV treatment facilities and odour control units.

The planning officer who recommended the plans be approved told the committee that the lack of modern treatment of sewage in Peel was "not an acceptable situation for the environment".

While there were two previous applications that were not supported by officers, in this case the site was "well suited and well located", he added.

An owner of land nearby shared concerns about the impacts that the odour would have on neighbouring land which included a nursing home, and a "substantial amount of residential properties".

But planning committee member Sam Skelton said the plans were a matter of "national need" and the proposals were for the best location.

Those opposed to the plans have three weeks to lodge an appeal against the decision.