6 December 2023 · Council of Ministers (after call-in; based on Planning Inspector's recommendation)
Field 432440 And Part Field 432475, Adjacent Billown Quarry, Foxdale Road, Ballasalla, Isle Of Man, IM9 3dn
The proposal involves restoring the operational limestone quarry at Billown Quarry, Foxdale Road, Ballasalla, by infilling the void (1.1 million m³ capacity) with inert waste in two phases: Phase 1 (first 15 years, up to 20,000 tpa plus on-site materials) and Phase 2 (up to 50,000 tpa), including sorting/recycling ~1/3…
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The officer assessed against Waste Policy 1 (WP1), finding acknowledged need for inert landfill per Waste Strategy (strategic void space; site history requires restoration to agriculture).
Waste Policy 1
Permits landfill if need per Waste Strategy, no unacceptable amenity/visual/traffic impacts, protects environment/heritage/ecology/water, acceptable access, phased restoration, no mineral sterilisation. Officer tested all criteria: need met (inert void); impacts low/negligible (EIA); separation bund prevents sterilisation; phased scheme conditioned. 'Proposals accord with WP1'.
Strategic Policy 1
Best use of land; quarry restoration to agriculture optimal given history/lack of alternatives.
Strategic Policy 2 - Priority for new development to identified towns and villages
Minerals development permitted in countryside.
General Policy 2
Development considerations including local amenity; dust/noise controlled by conditions.
General Policy 3
Countryside restrictions except overriding national need/no alternatives; inert restoration qualifies.
Environment Policy 1
Countryside protection unless overriding need; restoration enhances.
Environment Policy 2
Landscape protection; beneficial effects from restoring scar.
Environment Policy 4
Biodiversity; low habitat value, no issues.
Environment Policy 27
Land reclamation.
Transport Policy 4
Highway capacity; DOI no objection.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall begin before the expiration of four years from the date of this permission.
Dust management plan
Prior to the commencement of development, a Dust Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. Operations at the site shall only be carried out in accordance with the approved Plan.
Processing area
The processing and recycling hereby approved as part of the restoration landfill shall take place only within the blue area as shown on the Restoration Masterplan.
Inert waste only
Other than as may be required by other conditions, no waste shall be deposited at the site other than residual inert waste following on-site segregation of recyclable material.
Waste input rates
For as long as quarrying is ongoing (but no later than 15 years), no more than average 20,000 tpa infill waste; thereafter 50,000 tpa until contours achieved or 42 years.
Phase 1 review
On cessation of quarrying or 15 years, submit waste contours, fill rates; if needed, alternative scheme.
Waste importation cessation
Importation ceases on or before 42 years or final contours; confirm date.
Final contours
On waste cessation, finish per approved contours.
Final restoration
Within 1 year of cessation, remove plant etc., restore to agriculture per approved landscape masterplan (topsoil, bunds, landscaping, biodiversity, aftercare).
Soil management plan
Prior to import, submit Soil Management Plan (storage, handling, compaction minimisation).
Highway protection
No water/mud/contaminants onto highway.
Boundary fences
Retain fences until final restoration.
Hours of operation
07:00-18:00 Mon-Fri, 07:00-13:00 Sat; maintenance extended Sat/Sun.
Reversing alarms
No audible alarms except directional broadband multi-frequency.
no significant negative highway impact
support the development and seek restoration to calcareous habitat by adding lime
no issues with proposals; no adverse impacts on nearby ASSI; encourage biodiversity net gain
no objection; likely Waste Disposal Licence issuable
Multiple consultees responded to planning application 22/00922/B for restoration of Billown Quarry by infill, with most raising no objection though DEFA Minerals expressed concerns over sterilisation of mineral resources and Malew Parish Commissioners objected to increased HGV traffic through Ballasalla.
Key concern: Future sterilisation of strategically important mineral resources
DEFA Environmental Protection
No ObjectionThe Environmental Protection Unit has no objection to the application for landfill at Billown Quarry.; Subject to planning approval and a more detailed review to determine conditions there is currently no reason we are aware why a Waste Disposal Licence is not likely to be issued for the proposed landfill.
DEFA Minerals
No CommentTo avoid their sterilisation these resources would need to be extracted prior to the complete infilling of the existing Billown quarry void.; We estimate the volume of stone within the proposed buffer to be c.5895m3 (15,233 tonnes).
Conditions requested: Extract potentially economically viable limestone resources from north-west prior to complete infilling
Highway Services Division
No ObjectionAfter reviewing this Application, Highway Services HDC finds it to have no significant negative impact upon highway safety, network functionality and /or parking.; Variations in vehicle flows are expected to arise and to have a net minimal impact as works progress and movements are altered between quarry sites with.
DEFA Biodiversity
No ObjectionThe Ecosystem Policy Team have no issues with the proposals for the quarry infill.; We do not believe that there will be adverse impacts upon this statutorily protected site.
Conditions requested: Consider implementation of biodiversity net gain measures in collaboration with Manx Wildlife Trust
Malew Parish Commissioners
ObjectionThe Commissioners accepts the aim of the planning application however they are extremely concerned about the increase in traffic movements that the proposal will generate.; This is a matter that DOI Highways appear to have not considered in their comments on this application.
Conditions requested: DOI Highways to progress traffic plan prohibiting/limiting HGVs from using A7 from junction with A5 to Cross Fourways Junction and A26 Crossag Road
Manx National Heritage
No ObjectionThe potential adverse impacts (of the application) are balanced against positive benefits gained in terms of the reinstated site, we also concur with this.; Further benefits to biodiversity are investigated which could include the addition of lime to the top soil in order to create a calcareous habitat which may aid the spread and colonisation of species from the nearby Rosehill Quarry ASSI.
Conditions requested: When site has reached infill capacity, investigate further benefits to biodiversity including addition of lime to top soil to create calcareous habitat
DOI Waste Management
No CommentThe DOI does not wish to submit any comments.
