ISLE OF MAN/MANNIN: MANX MINISTERS TO BE PRESSED ON AGGREGATE EXTRACTION PLANS

Rapport publié le 29/07/08 0:42 dans Environnement par Cathal Ó Luain pour Cathal Ó Luain

Isle of Man Government coat of arms

The contentious issue of gravel extraction from the sea-bed in the Irish sea is to be raised in the Manx parliament.

Over a year ago the Manx government granted exploratory licences for samples to be gathered ahead of possible full scale aggregate exploitation in areas of the North and East of the Isle of Man.

The Celtic League were amongst a number of groups which opposed the move citing potential pollution hazards and also increased risk of coastal erosion in areas already under threat.

As far as we are aware the licences initially granted expired after twelve months without any sampling work being undertaken. The DTI were apparently planning to renew the licences but were challenged on the matter by environmentalists.

Now outspoken MHK Peter Karran, leader of the Liberal Vannin Party, has taken up the cause and he will press both the Agriculture and Transport Ministers on the matter in Tynwald next week.