Plans have been revealed to create another temperate rainforest in the Isle of Man in the shadow of a major tourist attraction.

Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT) has submitted a planning application to transform Cronk-y-Chule in Laxey, close to the Laxey Wheel, with almost 10,000 trees set to be planted.

In the recently submitted planning application, MWT says: ‘This application is to obtain planning permission for the creation of woodland at Cronk y Chule Farm. This is the first of three phases of woodland planting.

‘The vision is that in 20 years’ time Cronk-y-Chule will be a temperate rainforest landscape of trees, shrubs and open areas grazed by hardy cattle.’

The other two phases of the project have been put on hold for now.

The planning statement explains: ‘Phases 2 and 3 will be submitted at a later date, as the preliminary ecological appraisal has flagged up the presence of deep peat, potential presence of waxcap fungi and high ecological interest areas and further ecological investigation will be needed.

‘Phase 2 and 3 also have neighbouring residential properties and MWT would like a longer period of consultation with our neighbours to minimise impacts on their properties.’

Cronk-y-Chule was acquired by Manx Wildlife Trust in April 2026 as a working 44.5-hectare cattle farm.

The site is currently a cattle farm and, once the trees are large enough, Manx Wildlife Trust will return grazing to the area to create a woodland pasture landscape.

The planning statement says: ‘The purpose of acquisition was primarily nature recovery, with an ambition to make the area significantly richer in biodiversity and bio-abundance by transforming it into a woodland pasture, grazed by cattle.

‘Ecologically the site is influenced by the ancient semi-natural woodland that surrounds the Laxey Wheel and it is expected that woodland flora and fauna will rapidly colonise new woodlands here.

‘More importantly however is the history of cattle grazing on site and the retention of the ecological interest of the semi-natural grassland areas will be important, especially as there will be need to be a decade or more when grazing is withdrawn while the trees establish.’

Because of its proximity to a residential area, MWT is keen to ensure the new site can be enjoyed by those living nearby as well as other visitors.

The trust says: ‘The site is the only one of the four large temperate rainforest sites MWT own that is adjacent to a built up area. This makes this site a potential community asset and part of the tourist offering of Laxey.

‘Involvement with the local community on how to integrate public access and local use into the woodland will be a key part of its development.’

Other temperate rainforests MWT is creating include sites at Glen Auldyn and Creg y Cowin in the Baldwin Valley, while similar work is also being carried out at Glion Darragh at the Hairpin Woodland Park.

The application will be considered by planners in due course.