28 November 2008 · Planning Committee
Earystane Quarry Earystane Ronague Castletown Isle Of Man
The proposal seeks to extend the existing Earystane Quarry north-west by 70m, increasing the worked area from 0.8 acres (0.3ha) to 2.6 acres (1.1ha), with extraction down to 231m AOD over four phases yielding 75,000 tonnes of hard rock over 10 years.
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The officer noted the quarry is an established feature despite not being designated on the 1982 Plan, with prior extensions permitted; this proposal accurately delineates the site to regularise on-goi…
Strategic Policy 2 - Priority for new development to identified towns and villages
Restricts countryside development to exceptional cases; minerals extraction justified as location-dependent and meeting overriding national need for unique stone unable to be sourced elsewhere.
General Policy 2
Not applicable as site not in accordance with land use zoning (plantation); officer explicitly states GP2 provisions do not apply.
General Policy 3
Permits location-dependent minerals working outside designations; established quarry with prior extensions satisfies criteria.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside unless overriding national need with no alternative; DTI-confirmed minerals need outweighs harm given restoration and low impacts.
Environment Policy 4
Protects habitats/species; lizard concern addressed by survey condition despite no evidence found, low habitat loss (0.5ha forest in large plantation).
Environment Policy 22
No unacceptable noise/dust/pollution; negligible at distance, no blasting, free-draining.
Environment Policy 27
Enhance natural environment via reclamation/planting; phased restoration integrates with woodland using local seed bank.
Minerals Policy 1
Permits winning where need demonstrated (DTI-confirmed) and no unacceptable effects on amenity/landscape/ecology/highways/water; phased restoration provided, no sterilisation.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Approved plans and phasing
This permission relates to the continuation and extension of the quarrying at the application site as shown and described in Figures 3.1,3.2,3.3,3.4,3.5,3.6,6.1,6.2,6.3,6.4,6.5,6.6. The development must be undertaken in accordance with the phasing and restoration proposals shown in the approved plans.
Planting scheme
Planting must be undertaken in accordance with that shown in the approved plans.
Lizard survey and monitoring
A survey for lizards must be undertaken in the first available season following the issue of this approval and thereafter monitoring undertaken in accordance with a scheme to be approved by the Planning Authority after consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Working hours
Extraction within the quarry may take place only between 0600hrs and 2000hrs Monday to Friday inclusive and between 0600hrs to 1400hrs on a Saturday. Despatch of material may be undertaken only between 0700-1700hrs Monday to Friday.
Supports as activities fulfil need for quality building stone
Do not oppose the application
Application should be supported; important source of dimension stone and crushed rock to relieve shortage
No comment
Multiple consultees responded to planning application 08/01790/B for extension to Earystane Quarry and final restoration, with most raising no objection or support, though DAFF recommended lizard surveys and IOM Water Authority requested conditions on extraction limits, while Pla…
Key concern: unauthorised importation and processing of materials from Earystane Quarry at Billown Quarry
Planning and Building Control
Conditional No Objectionthe proposed extraction of mineral is therefore in keeping with the planning approval; the ‘importation activities’ require submission of a planning application
Department of Trade and Industry / Wardell Armstrong
Supportthe application is sound and one that the DTI should support; importance of Earystane Quarry as a source of dimension stone to the construction industry
Isle of Man Water Authority
Conditional No ObjectionThe current Department of Trade and Industry Mining Licence permits the extraction of up to 3,000 tonnes per annum. The proposal within the planning application is for the extraction of 7,500 tonnes per annum over a 10 year period.
Conditions requested: a condition reflecting the above issues is attached to any planning approval
DAFF Wildlife and Conservation Division
Conditional No ObjectionI recommend that a survey for lizards is undertaken, and ideally ongoing monitoring; I don't want a lizard colony to become submerged beneath restoration materials through a lack of information
Conditions requested: A survey for lizards must be undertaken in the first available season following the issue of this approval and thereafter monitoring undertaken in accordance with a scheme to be approved by the Planning Authority after consultation with DAFF
Arbory Parish Commissioners
No Commentmy Commissioners have considered the above application and have no comments to make
The original application sought permission to extend an existing stone quarry at Slieu Earystane, Arbory, and provide for final restoration, which was granted by the planning committee despite objections. Appellants (local residents) argued against the extension citing traffic hazards on narrow roads, risks from blasting near dwellings, landscape scarring, lack of habitat surveys, and availability of alternative stone sources. The planning committee and applicant defended the proposal highlighting the high demand for unique local building stone, low visual impact with screening, controlled operations, economic benefits, and support from relevant authorities. The inspector found the visual impact acceptable with progressive landscaping controlled by conditions, blasting unlikely to significantly harm amenities due to infrequency and regulation, and increased traffic posing no material highway safety risk. The inspector recommended dismissing the appeal and confirming approval with amendments to conditions 6 and 7 for ongoing reclamation and planting.
Precedent Value
This appeal demonstrates that quarry extensions in rural landscapes can succeed with commitments to progressive restoration controlled by conditions, even against resident opposition, if impacts on amenities and safety are not material and economic benefits from scarce local resources are evident. Future applicants should prioritise technical endorsements and detailed restoration schemes implemented during operations.
Inspector: J Trevor Graham
