Cannabis cultivation facility backed by planners

Proposals for a multimillion-pound facility to cultivate medicinal cannabis on the Isle of Man for exportation have been given the green light by planners.

The scheme by GrowLab Organics (Glo) to construct a purpose-built complex and headquarters in Ballasalla has received approval from the planning committee.

Alex Fray from the firm said the development, which is the first of its kind on the island, is expected to be built within 12 months, with goods being exported by 2026.

Glo were given a licence to cultivate, extract, manufacture, import and export the drug in 2022, following law changes the previous year.

In its application, the company said 60 jobs could be created within three years, across a range of skills and salary levels.

Situated at the Ronaldsway Industrial Estate, the 6.5-acre (2.6-hectare) site will house controlled atmosphere growing rooms with LED lighting, alongside plant processing and storage and distribution spaces.

Security measures are set to include a fence, CCTV, safes and strongrooms to hold the products.

The development, to be built in an area designated for industrial development, will also see the installation of a new electricity substation to deliver the power requirements of the facility.

Concerns were raised about energy use and a potential hike emissions due to the three megawatts of energy required to run the complex, but Glo confirmed it would be using renewable electricity imported through the island's existing interconnector.

Manx Utilities also confirmed there was "sufficient capacity" to meet the demand and therefore there would be no "increase in emissions".

Mr Fray said: "We understand this is something new and something big therefore a high degree of scrutiny is understandable and to be expected."

He said he was "delighted" the project could progress after engagement with the public, and Glo would now look to appoint contractors with the hope the building will be constructed in 12 months.

It would then be a further two months to get the cultivation centre up and running and the medicinal cannabis ready to be sold, he added.

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