22 January 2009 · Planning Committee
Cringle Quarry, Postal Locality, Ronague, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 4hj
A.V. Craine & Sons proposed extending their existing stone quarry at Cringle Quarry, Ronague, Arbory, from 1.1ha to 3.1ha by quarrying westward up to 230m and southward 140m, maintaining the floor at 290m AOD with benches at 300m and 310m AOD.
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The officer found demonstrated need for Manx Group stone that 'cannot be met through secondary aggregates', with Cringle as 'the only quarry with the consented reserved and short term capacity to feas…
Minerals Policy 1 (Draft Strategic Plan)
Permits mineral winning where need demonstrated unmeetable by secondary aggregates, no unacceptable adverse effects on amenity/landscape/ecology/etc., phased restoration, no sterilisation. Officer confirmed need, mitigable impacts (esp. heath via conditions/off-site), access ok, restoration proposed.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside unless overriding national need with no reasonable alternative. DTI evidence showed Cringle essential for Manx Group stone supply; no lesser-impact site.
Environment Policy 2
Protects AHLV character unless location essential. Mineral location-dependent; short-term visual harm from South Barrule increased existing impact, long-term mitigated by greening.
Environment Policy 4
Prohibits adverse effects on local habitats/species (heathland, birds/lizards). Site not designated but hosts species; loss unmitigable on-site but off-site enhancement/monitoring conditioned.
Environment Policy 5
For ENV4 sites, minimise disturbance/provide replacement habitats. Conditions enforce wildlife monitoring, heath management scheme, species protection.
General Policy 3
Permits location-dependent mineral working outside zones. Directly applicable as quarry extension.
Environment Policy 24 - Pollution sensitive development
Requires EIA for significant environmental effect. Full Environmental Statement submitted and assessed.
Environment Policy 27
Enhance natural environment via restoration. Proposal restores existing unrestored quarry to heath/marsh.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Approved plans
This permission relates to the extension of Cringle Quarry, the improvements to the access and the restoration all as shown and described in drawings reference 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and the methodology and mitigation shown and described in the Environmental Statement, all received on 11th December, 2008. For clarification, no approval is granted to any recycling operations within the provisions of this approval.
Restoration planting species
In respect of the restoration proposals Ulex europeaus should not be introduced and Ulex gallii introduced in its place.
Access improvements
Prior to the commencement of any work on the proposed extension, the works to improve the entrance as shown in Figure 3.11.2 must be set out with visibility splays of 2m by 54 available in both directions.
Pre-commencement monitoring schemes
Prior to the commencement of any works on site, the applicant must have approved by the Planning Authority: a) a scheme for monitoring of the impact on wildlife throughout the development, including the reporting of species of importance and the action to be taken in this respect, b) a scheme for the undertaking of appropriate management to enhance other areas of heathland around the quarry based upon the operational life of the quarry c) a detailed scheme for the monitoring of the water level in the pond indicating who is to monitor this and the steps to be taken if levels are affected adversely by the proposed quarry extension.
Archaeological mitigation
During the undertaking of the excavation as approved, prior to any work being undertaken in the vicinity of the archaeological site identified as 01 in the Environmental Statement, Manx National Heritage must be given the opportunity to inspect the feature and advise the Planning Authority of recommended mitigation. Such mitigation must be undertaken in accordance with such advice as confirmed by the Planning Authority.
Restoration implementation
The proposals to re-vegetate the benches of the quarry as shown in plans reference 2.5 and 2.6 must be undertaken as soon as the areas to be topsoiled and planted become available for such treatment. The quarry must be completely restored in compliance with the scheme shown in drawings reference 2.5 and 2.6 within six months of the cessation of quarrying/completion of the approved excavation.
Drainage schemes
Prior to the commencement of works on the approved extension to the quarry, the applicant must have approved by the Planning Authority schemes which a) demonstrate that there will be no increase in the amount of water flowing onto the highway from the quarry and b) demonstrate that the water being discharged from the quarry, through the phased life of the quarry working and thereafter from the proposed pond will be dealt with satisfactorily.
Supports the proposal
Supports Wildlife & Conservation comments; content to negotiate lease if mitigation resolved
No comments to make
No comments to make
Multiple consultees including Manx National Heritage, DEFA/DAFF ecology/wildlife, and Drainage Division raised concerns over ecology, archaeology, visual impact, and drainage but generally did not object subject to conditions on monitoring, mitigation, restoration, and water management; some individuals supported the proposal.
Key concern: loss of heathland habitat including Red Grouse breeding area
Manx National Heritage
Conditional No ObjectionMNH does not object in principle to this planning application, but has concerns regarding the extent of the loss of heathland habitat and the safeguards for long term effective restoration; recommend the attachment of a condition requiring archaeological mitigation... to be undertaken by the applicant in a timely manner prior to the extension of the quarry
Conditions requested: condition to ensure early reinstatement of heath-type habitat in worked-out areas; condition requiring archaeological mitigation to a brief prepared by MNH prior to extension; long-term responsibility for monitoring restoration success identified
DEFA Ecology
Conditional No ObjectionThe works are therefore generally OK but with just a few matters still unclear that should be very simple to clarify; if they are fenced for more than a few years then an ecologist keeps an eye on the vegetation within them
Conditions requested: lizards works for later phases in the same manner; search for frogs and orchids prior to clearance and report; brief reports of clearance activities or wildlife issues
DAFF Wildlife and Conservation Division
Conditional No Objectionspecies used for restoration... should NOT include European gorse (Ulex europeaus). The local species, Manx gorse (Ulex gallii) would be suitable; Heather (Calluna vulgaris) should be the main species re-introduced
Conditions requested: vegetation clearance in winter months (October to February) or ecologist inspection if summer; qualified ecologist inspects site before summer work (birds, lizards); sightings of lizards or others reported to WCD; monitoring programme throughout life of quarry; suitable native plants/seeds from reputable sources (MWT); new permanent pond extended and deepened; feedback mechanism for pond water level issues
Drainage Division, Department of Transport
Conditional No Objectionproposed storage volume of 1600m³ (33mx33mx1.5m sump) as a solution... require further information on how this would be achieved
Conditions requested: developer prior to commencement consults with Drainage Division on water management to satisfy no increase onto highway; developer prior to commencement consults with Drainage Division on controlled discharge of water
Drainage Division, Department of Transport
No ObjectionAll parties are satisfied with the details submitted from the applicant and we confirm that the requirements of section 8 have been met to our satisfaction
DAFF Forestry, Amenity & Lands Division
Supportformally confirm the support of the Division for those comments submitted by our Wildlife & Conservation Division; content to negotiate a Lease in line with any Mining Lease
Manx National Heritage
No Commentneed for the additional stone product... would require full justification... at the planning application stage
Conditions requested: appropriate assessment of ecological and visual impact with mitigation proposals
