26 January 2026 · Planning Committee, signed by Miss Abigail Morgan (Presenting Officer)
Billown Quarry Office, Foxdale Road, Ballasalla, Isle Of Man, IM9 3dw
Manx Rock Limited proposed installing a mineral wash plant at Billown Quarry, Foxdale Road, Ballasalla, to wash and screen limestone aggregates extracted on-site, enabling processing of previously unusable 'dirty' material contaminated with clay and fines.
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The officer determined the principle acceptable under General Policy 3(e) and (g) as location-dependent for minerals processing and of overriding national need to maximise on-island extraction, reduci…
General Policy 2
Requires no adverse effects on amenity, wildlife/habitats, landscape/townscape. Officer assessed noise/dust below thresholds, biodiversity mitigated, visual minimal due to screening, thus compliant.
General Policy 3
Permits location-dependent minerals-related development (e) or overriding national need (g). Wash plant deemed essential processing service within active quarry, maximising resource use.
Environment Policy 1
Prohibits adverse countryside effects unless overriding need/no alternatives. National minerals need outweighed impacts in established quarry.
Environment Policy 2
Protects landscape character. LVIA showed slight adverse local effects, minimal wider visibility due to topography/vegetation/mounds.
Environment Policy 4
Prohibits harm to protected species/habitats/sites. Low risks to birds/frogs mitigated; no ASSI impact.
Environment Policy 7
Requires no harm to water quality/resources. Infiltration basin prevents pollution/runoff.
Environment Policy 10
Requires FRA/mitigation where flood risk. Site in Flood Zone 1; basin handles 1:100yr+CC.
Environment Policy 13
Prohibits unacceptable flood risk. Proposals mitigate increased runoff.
Environment Policy 22
Prohibits unacceptable air/water pollution/noise. Dust/noise conditions ensure compliance.
Environment Policy 23
Similar to ENV22; conditions control emissions.
Transport Policy 4
No increased traffic; existing access adequate.
Minerals Policy 1 (Draft Strategic Plan)
Permits minerals working where need demonstrated, no unacceptable amenity/environmental/highway effects. Need for washed aggregates confirmed; all tests passed.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Dust minimisation
Reasonable steps shall be taken to minimise the incidence of airborne dust caused by the operations, including: use of bowser for water spray; vegetation on mounds; road cleaning; no visible dust beyond quarry boundary, cease operations if needed.
Highway protection
No water, mud or contaminants shall be permitted to drain, flow or be transferred by vehicle wheels on to the highway.
Operating hours
Operation Mon-Fri 0700-1800, Sat 0700-1300; maintenance extended Sat/Sun; no working outside hours.
Noise limits
Noise emitted shall not exceed 55dB LAeq(1hr) (free field) 1m from façade of noise sensitive property.
Ecological Clerk of Works
Prior to commencement, details of Ecological Clerk of Works submitted for approval; oversees mitigation in July 2025 PEA.
Drainage scheme
Plant not operational until approved surface water drainage scheme completed per FRA Section 7.0/Appendix 2.
Decommissioning
If redundant, remove infrastructure/restore site per approved scheme within 6 months of redundancy.
No objection
No significant negative impact upon highway network; existing access/site layout accommodates proposals satisfactorily
Do not object; Noise Impact Assessment concludes no adverse impact during 07:00-19:00 hours
No objection; Ecological Appraisal in order, no impact on Rosehill Quarry ASSI
No objection
No comments or concerns subject to conditions for environmental monitoring
DEFA Energy & Minerals Team has no comments or concerns with the proposal for a mineral wash plant at Billown Quarry, subject to conditions for environmental monitoring and a method statement for material separation.
DEFA Energy & Minerals Team
Conditional No Objectionthe Department confirms that it has no comments or concerns with regards to the proposal, subject to conditions being applied to ensure the appropriate environmental monitoring as outlined in the Dust and Particulates Management Plan and Preliminary Ecological Assessment are followed; We would like to suggest that prior to the commencement of operations, a method statement is submitted detailing how primary materials (such as overburden and previously deposited quarry material) will be kept separate from secondary materials (construction and demolition waste imported to the site) during processing; If additional products are being made from primary material, there will be a requirement to update the existing minerals lease
Conditions requested: conditions being applied to ensure the appropriate environmental monitoring as outlined in the Dust and Particulates Management Plan and Preliminary Ecological Assessment are followed; prior to the commencement of operations, a method statement is submitted detailing how primary materials (such as overburden and previously deposited quarry material) will be kept separate from secondary materials (construction and demolition waste imported to the site) during processing
