26 March 1996 · Minister for Local Government and the Environment, following report by the appointed Inspector (H S Crow) and recommendation accepted by Council of Ministers
Isle Of Government, Department Of Infrastructure, Poortown Quarry, Poortown, Peel, Isle Of Man, IM5 2an
The proposal involved extending the existing Poortown Quarry by 5.04 hectares (2.39 ha for excavation) into adjacent fields east and with a small northern 'elbow', to extract approximately 1.1 million tonnes of high-quality gabbro roadstone over 15 years, addressing exhaustion of current reserves by late 1996.
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The inspector concluded the extension conflicted with the 1982 Development Plan's high landscape value zoning but was justified by overriding need for high-quality gabbro roadstone for wearing courses…
Western Sector Plan
Supports Poortown Quarry extension as of strategic importance to highway construction/maintenance, subject to agreed programme defining area and phasing operations. Proposal complied via submitted plans, summary, and geological/environmental assessments; outweighed 1982 Plan conflict.
Working areas and phasing
Working may take place only in accordance within the areas defined in the application plans and in accordance with the programme and phasing of operations as set out in those plans and in the supporting summary of the proposal.
Time limit to commence
Working shall be begun within four years of the date of this approval or within two years of the final approval of all matters provided for in these conditions (save for that provided for in the condition (3) below), whichever is the later, failing which the approval granted shall lapse.
Exit strategy by 2006
Not later than 31st December 2006 one or other of the following shall be submitted for the approval of the Planning Committee: - a satisfactory proposal for the further extension of the quarry; or - a comprehensive scheme and programme for the termination of working at the quarry, to include, as appropriate measures for its restoration, reshaping and landscaping.
Restoration if early cessation
In the event of working for any reason ceasing before 31st December 2006 or, as the case may be, before the submission of either the above proposal or scheme, measures for the adequate restoration, reshaping and landscaping of the workings shall be undertaken as agreed between the undertakers and the Planning Committee or in default of such agreement as determined on appeal.
Comprehensive landscaping scheme
A comprehensive scheme of landscaping for the whole quarry and extension, to include details of phasing, regrading, movement of topsoil, seeding, planting, remedial measures in the event of planting failure, boundary walls and fences, the existing hedgerows and trees which are to be retained and the measures to be taken to protect or replace them shall be submitted for the approval of the Planning Committee. No work on the extension site shall be begun until a scheme is approved, and landscaping thereafter shall be undertaken in full in accordance with such approved scheme.
Overburden stripping limit
No more than a 20m width strip of overburden shall be stripped in advance of excavation.
Archaeological assessment
Facilities shall be provided for a staged archaeological assessment of the site to be undertaken. This shall comprise at minimum a desktop survey, above ground assessment and a watching brief during excavation with appropriate recording by a competent archaeologist, and, if it appears desirable to the Planning Committee (on the advice of Manx National Heritage) and practicable without unnecessarily delaying mineral extraction, below ground assessment, excavation and recording. Proper reports shall be made of all archaeological findings and deposited with Manx National Heritage.
Entomological survey
An entomological survey of all old hedgebanks on the site shall be undertaken under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry and Manx National Heritage in accordance with methodology statement to be submitted for the approval of the Planning Committee. No work on the site shall be begun until such a statement is approved.
Drilling and blasting hours
No drilling or blasting shall take place on Saturdays, Sundays, bank or other public holidays nor on any other day except between the hours of 0900 and 1630.
No secondary blasting
No secondary blasting shall take place at any time.
Blasting screens
Approved temporary screen or baffle mounds shall be erected around the drilling rig and drive unit when working above the top face.
Overburden movement hours
No stripping of overburden, movement of topsoil or other overburden, formation of baffle mounds or their removal shall take place on Saturdays, Sundays, bank or other public holidays nor on any other day except between the hours of 0800 and 1800.
Machinery maintenance
All machinery used on the site shall be maintained or replaced as appropriate such that the best practicable means are used in controlling emissions from all equipment. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing efficient silencers on engines and plant shall be maintained strictly in accordance with manufacturers' specification.
Noise and vibration monitoring
A scheme for monitoring noise and vibration shall be submitted for the approval of the Planning Committee. This scheme shall indicate the methods and equipment to be adopted to take measurements of noise and vibration, the period frequency and locations of measurement, the values of limits at each location and the measures for the reporting of monitoring results. No work on the site shall be begun until an approved scheme for monitoring is effectively in place.
Drainage scheme
Provision shall be made by way of settlement ponds, silt beds or otherwise for the regulation of water discharging from the site and its settlement in accordance with a scheme or plans which may be approved from time to time by the Planning Committee on the submission of the undertakers.
Dust control
Best practical means shall be employed to minimise dust nuisance, to include sheeting of vehicles carrying unwashed stone under 75mm, wheel cleaning facilities at the quarry entrance, fixed water spray heads to reduce dust on the approaches to the weighbridge, and damping (or similar treatment) of stockpiles and roadways in dry weather.
Washing plant relocation
At the earliest practicable opportunity, the washing plant shall be removed to the quarry floor.
No topsoil removal or waste
No topsoil shall be removed from the site, nor waste deposited within the quarry.
Safety zone
No working shall take place within 50m of the 8 tonne explosives magazine.
no objection subject to enhancement of roadside hedges screening
supports due to national strategic need; reserves likely exhausted by end 1996; sufficient stone in site
The original application by the Department of Transport to extend Poortown Quarry eastward and northward for extraction of gabbro roadstone was refused, though specific refusal reasons are not detailed in the documents. The appellant argued national strategic need due to depleting reserves essential for highway maintenance, supported by geological surveys confirming sufficient high-quality reserves and assessments showing alternatives (reopening other quarries, imports) were impractical or costlier. Objectors (residents, parish, environmental society) raised concerns over noise, dust, blasting risks, visual impact, drainage, and prolongation of nuisances. The inspector found the proposal conflicted with high landscape value zoning but justified by overriding need for efficient highway maintenance, with environmental impacts mitigable through enhanced conditions on landscaping, noise monitoring, drainage, dust control, and working practices. The inspector recommended approval with a detailed schedule of 19 conditions.
Precedent Value
Demonstrates national infrastructure need can override landscape zoning if evidenced and mitigable via conditions; future applicants should provide comprehensive ES, geological proof, alternative assessments, and accept monitoring/restoration commitments.
Inspector: H S Crow CB MA FRTPI FRICS FRGS
