Regional sewage treatment plan sessions take place

Until the treatment works has been built raw sewage will continue to be pumped out to sea

Two information sessions are taking place to provide the public with information on proposals for a sewage treatment works to stop waste being pumped out to sea.

Plans for a number of intermediate pumping stations in Laxey and a plant at Axnfell Plantation, which will also serve Lonan, are being developed by Manx Utilities (MU).

The first public information session takes place from 11:00 to 19:30 GMT at Laxey Sailing Club, with the second at Baldrine Methodist Church Hall on Thursday.

Clerk of Garff Commissioners Martin Royle said the local authority "strongly" encouraged members of the public, particularly those who live nearby, to attend.

Having a "clear understanding of the plans" would enable residents to provide the "most informed and effective feedback" for MU, the planning inspector and the Council of Ministers, who would make the final decision, he said.

Mr Royle said the local authority was "keen to gauge public opinion", and while there was a sense amongst board members that "something needs to be done" they would also consider views of residents in the Axnfell area.

Manx Utilities considered more than 50 sites for the project

The commissioners wanted to "hear the views of the community" before undertaking "further discussion" and considering "whether to commit support" to the proposal, he added.

Manx Utilities has said it would submit plans in 2025.

The planned works, which aim to stop the pumping of raw sewage into the sea, follows the rejection of a planning application at the Cairns in 2020 due to concerns over the smell by nearby residents, and the potential drop in tourism in the area.

Last month, a hearing into an appeal against MU's plans for a regional sewage treatment works in Peel concluded.

MU chairman John Wannenburgh said following the proposals in Peel, which remain with the planning inspector, the authority was "now progressing to address the final catchments within Garff".