An application to create a wildlife habitat area on the Silverburn river in Castletown has been withdrawn by the Department of Infrastructure and an amended version will be resubmitted shortly.
It was thought work had already begun on the scheme (14/00894/B), as was reported last month, but town MHK Richard Ronan, who is driving the scheme, confirmed diggers working there were dredging silt from the river bed to improve the flow of water in preparation for the very high tides.
The habitat project, in the inner harbour area known as the lake, involved restoration of the river bank on the Qualtrough’s Yard side and installation of rock armour, the creation of two mid-channel islands for wildlife to use and the installation of a wooden viewing platform and riverside walkway on the Victoria Road side.
The department said the riverbank had become extremely overgrown, difficult to maintain and a nesting area for geese.
Reclaiming this side of the river will improve its appearance and allow it to be enjoyed by the public throughout the year, it said.
The plan provoked an objection from Qualtrough’s Yard owner John Qualtrough, who said the work would create a flooding risk threatening his property and instead the area should be cleared of obstruction, dredged and maintained as a flood plain.
Householders in Castletown whose properties back onto the river said basic maintenance of the banks of the Silverburn should be carried out before money is spent on ‘grand schemes’ such as creating a wildlife area for birds.
They said the area needs attention – trees need cutting back or felling, the river bank is collapsing and there is debris and rubbish creating extra obstruction.
One resident complained the stonework near the railway bridge has crumbled into the river and several feet of the river bank have been washed away. They said attempts to get the relevant authorities involved have been unsuccessful because of lack of finance making this proposed outlay on a wildlife habitat area ‘particularly galling’.
Mr Ronan said the plan had been, ‘withdrawn just for now, there is work still to do on it with respect to issues raised initially.’ He said further dredging, particularly in the area near the Apostles Bridge, will be carried out.
He added: ‘The viewing area - is that necessary? We may pull that. It’s about the affordability for the department and achievability ... We are weighing up our options, there is corrosion by the railway bridge I want to see that done. I want the work to be done and the area maintained.’