The Department of Infrastructure says it needs to check the sea wall before it can remove gravel and sand that's built up on a Ramsey beach.
The town's commissioners say they have a contractor to remove the buildup, but need DOI permission under harbour by-laws.
A Freedom of Information request to the department shows it wants to carry out checks before the work can go ahead.
In an email to the board, it said because the sand and gravel are public property, it needs to know how the board plans to dispose of it under government financial regulations.
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