Planning approval granted for Peel sewage works

Plans provisionally approved ahead of three-week appeal window

Plans for a new sewage treatment works in Peel have been provisionally approved by the planning committee.

The Planning Officer’s recommendation for the application to be approved was upheld earlier today (8 July).

Full planning approval will not be received until after the three-week appeal window.

Following this period, various activities will need to be completed before work commences, including the transfer of land ownership to Manx Utilities and addressing the planning conditions required prior to the development commencing.

Assuming no appeals are submitted, it is planned that construction activities will start in early autumn with screening facilities in place by the end of 2025 and flows being treated at the works by the end of 2026.

The new proposed facility will be created in fields close to the Heritage Trail and adjacent to Peel Power Station.

The authority says, 'work is ongoing in readiness to commence construction works with designs and contractual arrangements being finalised ahead of an award of contract'. 

Chair of Manx Utilities, John Wannenburgh MHK, said: “This is an extremely positive milestone, which takes us one step closer to finally putting an end to the discharge of raw sewage to sea for our Island. 

"On completion, the works will provide a huge improvement to our marine environment and to Peel bathing water quality. 

"Manx Utilities is appreciative of the support of the Peel community, and we look forward to providing more detail around the planned programme of works in the near future.”

Manx Radio spoke to Mr Wannenburgh following the announcement this afternoon: