Environmental charities want a sewage plant for Peel established ’as soon as possible’.

Beach Buddies founder Bill Dale and Manx Wildlife Trust chief executive Tim Graham shared concerns about the quality of water around Peel bay where raw effluent is discharged.

Plans for a sewage plant at the site of Glenfaba House at the Raggatt were criticised by Patrick Commissioners and residents at a public meeting last week. They said other land options should be explored.

Mr Dale said: ’Whatever side they choose, let’s get something done quickly.

’Our greatest fear is that it’s going to be delayed again and again.

’We can see the visible evidence of wet wipes on the beaches from Peel to the Point of Ayre, as that’s the general flow of the sea. We want to see something done as soon as possible.’

Some residents were against the removal of more than 110 mature trees to make way for the plant.

Mr Graham said: ’MWT would be concerned about any removal of trees at this level for any project, especially from an important wooded landscape such as this.

’We would hope that such things could be avoided or at least mitigated near-by with quality woodland expanded.

’However, we are equally concerned about bathing water quality and the lack of sewage treatment infrastructure in Peel, so the overall aims of this project are important, nevertheless best practice should be applied for managing any impacts.’

The proposal (19/00462/B) includes plans for native planting following completion of the works.

Manx Utilities chairman Dr Alex Allinson MHK told the audience at the meeting that the proposal would be modified if necessary, but progress on the issue must be made.

’Baby wipes, wet wipes... the plant would be getting rid of all that and treating the water. It’s important that we do that for the good of your children and their children in terms of what we need in the Isle of Man,’ he said.