Preferred sewage treatment site agreed for Garff

Site falls within Axnfell Plantation

Manx Utilities has confirmed the preferred location for the new Sewage Treatment works for Laxey and Baldrine is within the North Eastern extent of the Axnfell Plantation.

It follows a review of over 50 potential sites considering land availability, proximity to residential areas, highway access for operational vehicles, environmental and ecological issues, and carbon and whole life costs.

The land currently belongs to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, but ownership will be transferred to Manx Utilities, who say the site footprint has been minimised to reduce visible and environmental impacts, whilst still allowing space for potential future expansion. 

Tree-felling regularly happens on the plantation, but the company say where possible any tree loss will be mitigated by additional planting of native, broadleaf trees, both on site and at other Manx Utilities owned sites in the area. 

It says the treatment process at Axnfell will not prevent the “Excellent” bathing water quality standard being achieved in Laxey. 

A turbine will enable a significant amount of the electricity used to pump sewage up to the Axnfell site to be recovered, reducing the carbon footprint of the scheme. 

Ground investigations will now begin to allow designs to be completed and the submission of planning applications for the works later in the year.

Prior to the submission of the application, Manx Utilities will be hosting a public exhibition event, to allow the community to comment on the proposals. 

Further details of pipeline routes and intermediate pumping station locations will be released in due course. 

Manx Utilties has further confirmed the site is not near a church project as feared by fundraisers there last week.