Committee has 'great concern' Wright's Pit North inspector was misled

Report says plans for new facility have been made but DoI says the application is yet to be submitted

There's 'great concern' that a planning inspector who recommended approving the Department of Infrastructure's application to extend the use of Wright's Pit North until 2030 has been misled.

That's from the chair of the Environment and Infrastructure Policy Review Committee, Rob Mercer MLC, after the committee sought clarity over the application.

The report, due to be considered in Tynwald this month, says the extension can go ahead because plans are in place for a replacement but Chief Officer Emily Curphey confirmed to the committee that that planning application is yet to be submitted.

Mrs Curphey, and Deputy Chief Officer Jeffrey Robinson, told the hearing it wasn't clear what the inspector meant and they hadn't been part of the planning inquiry.

Mr Mercer wants to know how the discrepancy happened:

Meanwhile committee member David Ashford raised concerns over the site continuing to operate without a licence.

He said the facility has been 'operating illegally' as its licence to accept hazardous waste has expired.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall admits the situation is 'not acceptable':