Plan for 30,000-tree nature reserve backed

The trees will be situated at Creg y Cowin Farm in East Baldwin

Planners have backed proposals to plant about 30,000 trees as part of the creation of a nature reserve on the Isle of Man.

Situated at Creg y Cowin Farm, in East Baldwin, the plans submitted by nature charity Manx Wildlife Trust are part of a wider £38m rainforest restoration scheme across the British Isles.

Some 25 different species of trees native to the island would be planted across the 105-acre site, formerly used for sheep grazing, for carbon sequestration.

David Bellamy, head of conservation and land at the charity, told the committee the project would create "a broad mosaic of nature-rich habitats".

As many as 25 different species of trees native to the Isle of Man would be planted across the site

Mr Bellamy said the proposals would open up the site to the public and would see the creation of three jobs to maintain it.

Speaking after the meeting, he said the charity would aim to plant trees "immediately" working with the Woodland Trust alongside members of the Manx public.

The plans received one objection from the Manx National Farmers Union (MNFU) which argued the loss of farmland was a "growing concern" for local food security, the island was at risk of large scale land purchasing for carbon credit and it could set a precedent if approved.

The planning officer who recommended approval said that while the proposals would see a loss of agricultural land, the government's climate change act and island plan demonstrated an "overriding national need" for carbon sequestration.