Ramsey Marina Limited has responded to the Manx Wildlife Trust’s opposition to the scheme to build a marina on the town’s south beach.

The reasons MWT gave as to why it opposed the development included that it was a ’legally protected marine nature reserve’ and it would conflict with the island’s Biosphere status. It mentioned that it had met with the developers to discuss these concerns.

Ramsey Marina Ltd (RML) has since responded and said it has only had one meeting with MWT ’which lasted just over an hour’.

It believes the MWT is ’not an impartial authority’ but ’a mouthpiece for the Save the Bay’, a group campaigning against the development of the marina.

In a statement, the developer said it had ’very cordial relations’ with Tim Graham, the previous chief executive officer of MWT before Leigh Morris.

It said: ’It is therefore with much disappointment that RML have heard of this sudden change in approach.

’RML reached out to MWT over three years ago and were assured that MWT would conduct a professional dialogue with RML at all stages of the marina project.

’Dr Graham agreed that, with care and attention, there was a very real opportunity to improve the ecosystem in the bay with the marina and they were excited to support that.’

Since then, RML has had one meeting with the wildlife charity.

It added: ’RML can’t agree with the MWT statement that RML has have met "at length" with MWT. During that one hour meeting the main talking points were around what the project consisted of physically, and very little discussion about the marine ecology.’

Referring to MWT’s main arguments, RML said the charity had ’no scientific basis’ to state the scheme would have negative ecological effect.

’Based on RML discussions with UK experts in marina biology, they agree that, with careful thought, the marina could enhance the marine ecology,’ it said.

Plus, it argued MWT hadn’t provided evidence as to why the marina would ’undo all protection for important species’.

It added: ’MWT’s points appear to be an a complete exaggeration with no proof or evidence provided by MWT to support their claims.’