Please note my concerns regarding the proposed development of a sewage plant in Axnfell, Laxey.   

I am aware the sewage plant has to go somewhere and there's probably always somebody who won't like where it goes, but I think the proposed choice of Axnfell needs to be seriously reconsidered for the following reasons:  

Plantations, although "working forests", are a recreational facility for many people on a day-to-day basis. Plantations across the Isle of Man are being developed with recreation in mind, e.g., for walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. The paths throughout Axnfell are well used. Wooded areas such as Axnfell are a minority habitat on the Isle of Man and should be better protected. A sewage plant in Axnfell seems to contradict the purpose of a space partially set aside for recreational use. Currently, Axnfell is a quiet and important sanctuary for many people and dropping a sewage plant into it seems irresponsible and a complete contradiction to what Axnfell is.   

Axnfell merges into Laxey Glen as a recreational facility. The Isle of Man shouldn't have a sewage plant in/near a National Glen. Have you considered the impression this sends out to locals and visitors?   

Replanting trees to mitigate the destruction of mature trees on the site is a hollow gesture. It will take decades for new trees to reach the maturity of the trees that will need to be destroyed, and these trees won't benefit the recovery of the site that is being destroyed. Planting more trees in presumably an arbitrary and unrelated location is tantamount to "green washing" and no doubt these new trees will not be in an area where people can be amongst them as they can be in Axnfell as it is today.   

For what it's worth, Google reviews of Axnfell average 4.6/5 stars (yes, people actually review it as a destination). It's popular because it's the way it is now, not because it has a sewage plant in it. Don't destroy something that is valued by locals and visitors to the Island.   

The Axnfell car park area was deemed to be inappropriate for development due to the current biodiversity. The proposed site is close to the rejected area, and I wonder whether this area would be any different. Has this been studied? There is a significant bat population in this area. Laxey is surrounded by fields that lack any significant biodiversity and have no recreational access/use. Why not consider a site that won't have so much impact on people beyond the immediate area - people visit Axnfell from beyond Laxey.   

Axnfell is a Dark Sky site. Will there be light pollution? The prevailing wind is predominantly South or South Westerly. Will this facility smell? If it does, it may blow over Laxey village. Does it make any noise? So many unknowns.   

Boasts of being able to recover some of the energy cost required to pump waste up to the site by way of its journey back down the hill again is hardly a positive when the whole situation could be improved by not siting the plant at one of the highest points of the village.   

Lastly and perhaps most cynically, has this site been selected based on the convenience of land ownership transfer between government departments rather than any consideration towards the practical matters such as engineering/building costs, road access, and the negative social and environmental impact?   

Why can we not link to IRIS? Surely IRIS was commissioned in the first place to accommodate future growth?   

Thanks for your time reviewing my concerns. Please don't ignore them. 
  

Regards,  

Gordon Cobb 

Thie'n Lhargee, Upper Rencell, Laxey IM4 7BN 

 









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