Government applies to extend silt lagoon use

The site in Peel was constructed in 2020

The infrastructure department has applied for planning permission to extend its use of a pipeline and silt lagoon on the west of the island until the end of 2026.

Constructed in 2020, the facilities have been used to remove and dry out silt sediment that builds up in Peel's Marina.

About 3,000 tonnes of silt sediment, containing traces of heavy metals and other contaminants largely as a result of historical mining operations, enters the inner harbour from the River Neb each year.

Permission for the pipeline and lagoon was originally granted to in March 2019 for a period of five years.

Restoration

A spokesman for the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) said the government needed the extension to "enable the material to be managed in a sustainable and cost-effective way prior to its removal".

"It is hoped the lagoon can be emptied in late 2025 and reused to support another marina dredging campaign in spring 2026, prior to it being decommissioned and the field being restored to its original agricultural condition," it said.

Issues with silting has previously threatened the use of some berths in Peel Marina.

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

Dredging took place in spring 2020 and 2021, with sediment transported from the marina to the lagoon, which was designed to hold about 44,000 tonnes.

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

A wider programme of works is being carried out across the River Neb catchment area looking at long-term measures to prevent the metal deposits from entering the marina.

The DOI spokesman said that a "significant amount of the lead found in the dredged material can be traced back to Cross Vein Mine".

In approved the planning application would see storage of the material at the site extended until 31 December 2026.