The Archallagan Plantation has been saved for the nation.

That's the view of two MHKs who have fought to make sure the area is not used for the dumping of bottom ash from the incinerator.

Middle Member Martyn Quayle and Glenfaba MHK David Anderson believe common sense has finally prevailed.

The battle to stop the ash being deposited at Archallagan has taken nearly six years, and cost tens of thousands of pounds.

Instead, the Council of Ministers has now given planning approval for a processing facility for bottom ash at Old Turkeyland Quarry, Balthane, and for the storage and disposal of processed bottom ash at New Turkeyland Quarry.

CoMin has also approved a residual landfill facility at the Point of Ayre.

Those matters will need to be endorsed by Tynwald later this month, but the decision regarding Archallagan is final.

Mr Anderson (pictured) says it's the best possible outcome.

He told Manx Radio:

"I think what has happened over those several years is we've seen a changing picture on the Island of the need as well.

"The inspector's comments in the report reflect that - the need has changed (and) the quantities have changed significantly.

"We still have the argument that (Archallagan) wasn't the best place for it anyway, but other places have been identified in the meantime and these have come to the surface now."