Jurby Airfield can't be a nature reserve and a working airfield says MWT

It has concerns about proposals made in the Draft North and West Area Plan inquiry

A public inquiry into the Draft North and West Area Plan unveiled proposals by the Department of Infrastructure to increase the size of Jurby Airfield.

Area Plan documents show an extension to the runway– which would make it roughly the size of an international airport.

Under the draft North and West Area Plan, Jurby Airfield had been provisionally zoned for an extra 2.5km of runway.

If the extension was approved in the plan, it could also impact the nearby villages of Andreas and Ramsey – a number of houses would be affected, and it would also cut through farmland.

The extra runway length would make it roughly the size of Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Head of Conservation at Manx Wildlife Trust, David Bellamy, voiced his concerns about the protection of nature in the area.

He said the site is an Area of Special Scientific Interest and it cannot be both an airport and a nature reserve:

A public meeting has now been organised by Jurby Commissioners about the plans for the airfield next month.

It’ll be held on the 12th August in the Parish Hall.

It’s understood Airport Director Gary Cobb, Chief Minister Alf Cannan and Minister for Enterprise Tim Johnson will all be there – Mr Cannan and Mr Johnston are the MHKs for the areas.