Proposed Runway Extension and \ or New Runway Extension at Jurby

Summary

The requester asked for details on a proposed runway extension at Jurby Airport, including rationale, funding, and environmental impacts. The Department of Infrastructure responded that no development proposal exists, only a safeguarding zoning for airspace, and therefore detailed project information is not held.

Key Facts

• There is currently no development proposal for a runway extension at Jurby Airport.
• The existing proposal is a safeguarding measure to extend airspace protection for a 2km runway.
• This safeguarding proposal is included in the strategic North and West Draft Area Plan published by the Cabinet Office.
• No associated risks or wildlife impacts exist because the proposal only concerns airspace zoning.
• Justification for spending, funding, and timelines will only be assessed if a formal proposal is brought forward in the future.

Data Disclosed

• 2024-07-31
• 2024-08-06
• 4028485
• 2km
• Pages 2-4

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held by the public authority

Original Request

I believe it is very much in all the islands interests (in particular residents in the north) the detail is behind the proposed Runway work in the north. This should includes how the proposal initial came about, rationale and decision making with information which departments are proposing the changes and MHKs. Information should include any supporting service buildings, associated risks, impact to traffic, impact to wildlife, planned stages and timelines. Justification for spend given to replace existing airport and how a capitol project of this scale will be funded. Look forward to the response.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 4028485 7 August 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 31 July 2024, which states:

"I believe it is very much in all the islands interests (in particular residents in the north) the detail is behind the proposed Runway work in the north. This should includes how the proposal initial came about, rationale and decision making with information which departments are proposing the changes and MHKs.

Information should include any supporting service buildings, associated risks, impact to traffic, impact to wildlife, planned stages and timelines.

Justification for spend given to replace existing airport and how a capitol project of this scale will be funded.

Look forward to the response."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

There is currently no development proposal for a runway extension at Jurby, but rather a safeguarding proposal to extend the protection of 'airspace' for a 2km runway only, which has been included as part of the strategic North and West Draft Area plan published by the Cabinet Office. The Director of Isle of Man Airport clarified the reasons around the extension which was published on the Draft North and West Plan inquiry page which I have provided a link for you to access below.

Pages 2-4: https://nwinquiry.gov.im/media/zlsh4aon/cod-23-jurby-airfield- safeguarding.pdf

Currently, there are no associated risks or impact on wildlife as this extension refers to only the zoning of airspace around the Airport.

In relation to justification of spend given to replace the existing airport, how the capitol project would be funded, planned stages and the mentioned assessments above, these will all need to be assessed should a formal proposal ever be brought forward.

Please quote the reference number 4028485 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.