**Document:** Officer Planning Report **Application:** 04/02152/B — Investigation by excavation to determine cause of collapse and proposed safety engineering works to suspected **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2004-12-13 **Parish:** Lonan **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/77047-lonan-abandoned-mine-shaft/documents/1202979 --- # Officer Planning Report ## Planning Report And Recommendations [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Considerations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Written Representations We have received no private representations for this application. ### Consultations [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Policy ### Officer's Report The application seeks approval for works to investigate the cause of collapse of a presumed mine shaft and works to make it safe. The proposed works comprise of excavation work and potentially either the use of a reinforced concrete cap or a concrete plug dependant on prevailing conditions. The application is accompanied by a method statement that details the proposed works and the method of undertaking them. It is proposed to initially carry out investigations to establish the cause of the collapse and then, if it is proven to be a mineshaft or collapse associated with abandoned mine workings, safety engineering works are proposed to render it safe. Should it prove necessary the means of rendering it safe would either be the construction of a reinforced concrete cap or concrete plug, depending on prevailing conditions. The applicant has stated that they have consulted with a number of bodies regarding the proposed development, including Manx National Heritage and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Representations have been received from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Inland Fisheries Section, the Department of Transport Highways Division, Laxey Village Commissioners and Manx National Heritage. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Inland Fisheries Section have stated that during the works there must be measures in place to ensure that there is no run off to the nearby river. The Department of Transport Highways Division have stated that there are no adverse traffic impacts. Laxey Village Commissioners have stated that they have no objections to the excavation but request that the advice of the Laxey Mines Research Group is sought. Manx National Heritage have stated that they believe that it is a shaft that it may be connected with the Cross-Cut Adit which leads from the riverbank, under this area, to join with the Main Adit. They are concerned that any works should not lead to any blocking of any adit below. They request that should approval be granted that it should be subject to a standard archaeological condition permitting access during the works. The application site is at a significantly higher level than Laxey River and I estimate that there is at least 60 metres separation. Accordingly, I do foresee run off from the works to the nearby river to be a particular problem. I do not see a necessary requirement to contact the Laxey Mines Research Group as the works, if indeed any are necessary, will not restrict access underneath (if any exists). Again the concerns of Manx National Heritage should not be problematic, as the works will not restrict access underneath. The imposition of an archaeological condition is acceptable. It is apparent to me the proposed development is necessary in terms of safety and I recommend that the application be approved. ### Recommendation Recommended Decision : Permitted Date of Recommendation : 06.12.2004 ### Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal - : Notes attached to refusals C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice. C 2. This approval relates to drawing no.s CA02524/01, CA02524/02 and CA02524/03 and the method statement date stamped the 15th October 2004. C 3. The Manx Museum and National Trust must be informed of the date of commencement of works and be given access at all reasonable times and reasonable opportunity to inspect the site, observe all excavations and investigate any archaeological features exposed. C 4. The works hereby permitted shall be undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the method statement submitted as part of the planning application and date stamped the 15th October 2004. N 5. During the undertaking of the works the applicant is advised to instigate measures to ensure that there is no risk of run off to the nearby river. Decision Made : ... Committee Meeting Date : ... [Table omitted in markdown export] --- *Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).* *Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/77047-lonan-abandoned-mine-shaft/documents/1202979*