An inspector has been appointed to head a planning inquiry into the proposed regional sewage treatment works at Glenfaba.

The hearing into the application (19/00462/B) will take place at the end of this month or early August with the inspector appearing by video link.

Manx Utilities submitted a planning application for the construction of a new sewage treatment works on the site of Glenfaba House on April 23 last year.

The application was referred for determination by the Council of Ministers.

But Covid delayed the appointment of an inspector to head the planning inquiry.

Peel campaigner Trevor Cowin has been pressing the planning department for an update.

And he had now received confirmation that an inspector has been appointed.

Planning officer Andy Johnstone told him by email: ’I can advise that an inspector has been appointed to deal with the application and has been granted an exemption to visit the island to conduct site visits in connection with applications at appeal and applications to be determined by Council of Ministers.

’The exemption does not permit the inspector to hold hearings in person.’ Mr Johnstone said the inspector was due to travel over to the island this week to conduct site visits today (Tuesday) and tomorrow.

He added: ’The inspector will then go back to the UK and we will set a date for the hearing which is proposed for late July early August.

’Parties will be invited to attend our office for the hearing and the inspector will be visible and audible only via a video link.’

Tynwald has approved spending of about £23.5m for Manx Utilities to complete its regional sewage treatment strategy.

The majority of Peel’s sewage is still pumped out to sea, unscreened and untreated.

Glenfaba House was acquired by Manx Utilities in autumn 2017 for the site of the new works. It is expected to be completed by 2021.