8 July 2025 · Planning Committee
Field 410153, Ballakillowey Road, Colby, Isle Of Man, IM9 4bw
The proposal is for a single vertical axis wind turbine rated at 15kW, mounted on a 12m pole with a 4.5m high, 3m diameter 5-blade rotor, reaching 14.5m overall height, to power the farm's dwelling, barn, and pump house alongside existing solar panels.
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The proposal does not fully comply with General Policy 3 (GP3) as it is in the countryside without qualifying as an exception, but aligns with Energy Policy 4 (EP4) and paragraph 12.2.8 recognising do…
General Policy 3
Strictly limits countryside development to specific exceptions; renewable energy not explicitly listed. Proposal does not qualify but weighed against EP4 benefits and para 12.2.8 on domestic turbines.
Environment Policy 4
Wind installations judged against environmental policies; para 12.2.8 notes domestic turbines unlikely to need EIA and benefits weighed against site impacts. Proposal aligns as domestic-scale with mitigations.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside and ecology; visual impact minimized by distance (300m+ from views), vertical design, and reversible nature, not adversely affecting wider character.
Environment Policy 5 - Mitigation against damage to or loss of habitats
Mitigation against habitat loss; site assessments and measures (black blade, ultrasonic device, lizard avoidance, grassland management) address risks to bats, birds, lizards, orchids.
General Policy 2
General development considerations including amenity, noise, biodiversity; no significant impacts at distances, mitigations ensure compliance.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. Reason: To comply with Article 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Cable routing plan
No Development shall take place until a cable routing plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by Department. The route shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details. Reason: in the interest of visual amenity and to minimise and safeguard potential ecological impact and wildlife.
Approved plans
The wind turbine hereby approved shall only be erected in accordance with Site Plan and Wind Turbine Data Sheet received on 1 October 2024. The development shall be retained as such thereafter. Reason: in the interest of noise and visual amenity and biodiversity.
Decommissioning
The turbines hereby approved shall be dismantled and removed from the site within 20 years from the date when electricity is first generated with written notification of the first generation date to be provided to DEFA Planning no later than 14 days after the event, or within 6 months of the date when the turbines permanently cease to produce electricity whichever is the sooner with the land restored thereafter in accordance with a decommissioning and site restoration scheme which shall be submitted to and approved in writing by DEFA Planning. Reason: In accordance with the lifespan of the proposed turbines and in the interests of visual amenity.
no highways interest
No objection, subject to conditions including orchid survey, mitigation devices, lizard measures
Multiple statutory consultees and parish commissioners raised objections primarily on ecological, landscape, and policy grounds regarding the wind turbine proposal, while Highways and Manx Utilities had no significant objections pending further information.
Key concern: Inadequate ecological assessment lacking bird records from Manx BirdLife and orchid surveys on the turbine site
DEFA Ecosystem Policy Officer
ObjectionWe therefore OBJECT at this time, on the limited information provided, but we will reassess our position, on the provision of the further information.; We recommend that the bird data be sought from Manx BirdLife and the assessment updated with it prior to the consideration of this application.; We recommend that a survey for orchids be made in the areas that may be affected, prior to works.
Conditions requested: Require bird data from Manx BirdLife and update assessment; Survey for orchids prior to works or by condition if placement flexible; Require reasonable avoidance measures for lizards as per ecological report Appendix 2; Provide survey information to inform specific placement of the development
Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners
ObjectionThe Commissioners object to the development as it fails to comply with current planning policies.; strong reasons why this application should be rejected.
Highway Services HDC
No CommentHighway Services HDC has no interest (NHI) in: 24/91096/B
Manx Utilities Electricity Planning Team
No ObjectionIn order for Manx Utilities to undertake the necessary network studies and assess whether the turbine can be connected to the network, the applicant is recommended to make a formal connection application to Manx Utilities
Conditions requested: Applicant to make formal connection application to Manx Utilities including all necessary electrical data
