15 December 2021 · Planning Committee
Manx Birdlife Point Of Ayre Reserve, Postal Locality, Cranstal, Bride, Isle Of Man, IM7 4bs
The site is a former sand and gravel quarry now managed as a private bird sanctuary within the Ayres Gravel Pits Area of Special Protection for Birds. The proposal involves excavating two ponds of about 350m² each and a smaller 290m² pond to depths of 1-1.5m, using the spoil to repair a 40m eroded gravel bund to 2m hei…
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The officer noted the development is not on a designated site nor an exception under General Policy 3, which presumes against development outside allocated sites.
General Policy 3
Presumes against development outside allocated sites except specific cases like minerals working or interpretation buildings/works. Proposal does not qualify as an exception but justified by enhancement benefits under other policies.
Environment Policy 1
Requires protection of countryside and ecology. Works enhance existing nature reserve, aligning with policy aspirations.
Environment Policy 4
Protects ecology, designated sites and protected species. DEFA Ecology confirmed minimal disturbance in ASP for Birds, overseen by ecologists.
Environment Policy 27
Supports environmental enhancement, including reclaimed mineral sites. Directly cited for former quarry restoration providing new wildlife habitats.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. Reason: To comply with Article 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
No future viewing facility
No approval is hereby given for the erection of a "future viewing facility". Reason: For the avoidance of doubt, as this is shown indicatively on the plan but does not form part of this application and so has not been assessed.
No material import/export
No excavated material shall be removed from the site and no fill materials may be brought onto the site. Reason: For the avoidance of doubt - the works proposed are engineering works to alter the existing landform but do not seek approval to remove material from/import material to the site and so any impacts which may result from that (e.g. highways/traffic) have not been assessed.
Adhere to method statement
The works hereby approved shall not be undertaken other than in accordance with the method statement, which forms part of the approved plans. Reason: In the interests of clarity and to ensure the development takes place in accordance with the approved details.
Planting/seeding details
Prior to the commencement of the works hereby approved, details of any proposed planting/seeding shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department and the development shall not take place other than in accordance with the approved details. Reason: the application does not provide details of any proposed planting/seeding and given the site designation it is important that any that does take place is appropriate.
Temporary structures approval
There shall be no provision on the site of moveable structures, works, plant or machinery required temporarily in connection with the development hereby approved unless details (including timescale for removal) have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department and they are provided in accordance with those approved details. Reason: For the avoidance of doubt, and because the application does not include any details of these and the relevant permitted development order does not apply to this site.
Happy with proposed works and methodology for conservation and enhancement of wild birds and habitats, overseen by experienced ecologists, minimal disturbance in line with Environment Policies 4 & 5.
Do not oppose - no significant negative impact upon highway safety, network efficiency and/or parking.
Do not oppose.
All three statutory consultees (Ecosystem Policy Officer, Highways Division, and Flood Risk Management Division) have no objections to the proposed works at Manx Birdlife Point of Ayre Reserve.
Ecosystem Policy Officer (DEFA)
No ObjectionThe Ecosystem Policy Team can confirm that they are happy with the proposed works and working methodology.; As the work is being undertaken for the conservation and enhancement of wild birds and their habitats and will be overseen by suitably experienced ecologists, we are confident that the work will be done lawfully and conscientiously and that disturbance of this designated site will be minimal, in line with Environment Policies 4 & 5.
Department of Infrastructure (DOI) Highways Division
No ObjectionAfter reviewing this Application, Highway Services find it to have no significant negative impact upon highway safety, network efficiency and /or parking.; The Applicant is advised that a licence may be necessary for the positioning of equipment and materials in the highway.
Department of Infrastructure (DOI) Flood Risk Management Division
No ObjectionDNO
