23 May 2025 · Planning Committee
Claddagh Farm, Sulby Bridge, Sulby, Isle Of Man, IM7 2ez
The proposal involves installing 34 ground-mounted solar panels in a double-height arrangement, measuring approximately 17m long, 2.8m wide, and up to 2.2m high at the tallest point, fixed with concrete anchor piles, located 27m from the access lane in a field at Claddagh Farm.
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The principle was accepted due to support for renewable energy in paragraph 12.2.8 and Energy Policy 4 of the Strategic Plan, reinforced by the Climate Change Act 2021 and Climate Change Action Plan 2…
Strategic Policy 1
Requires best and efficient use of sites. Assessed as compliant given small-scale renewable energy use on disturbed land minimising wider impacts.
General Policy 2
General development control considerations. Proposal met general standards through conditions controlling siting, materials, and decommissioning.
General Policy 3
Exceptions for development in unzoned land; renewable energy not listed but exceptionally allowed under part (g) due to overriding national climate need outweighing countryside presumption.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside and ecology; visual impact acceptable due to buffers and topography, no harm to landscape character.
Environment Policy 2
Protects Areas of High Landscape Value; array screened from public views, no detraction from AHLV character.
Environment Policy 3
Impact on woodland; no tree removal proposed and none on site.
Environment Policy 4
Impact on species and habitats; siting avoids marshy grassland, on disturbed land.
Environment Policy 10
Flood risk impact; panels on frame outside river buffer, no worsening of risk.
Environment Policy 13
Flood risk impact; supported by DOI Flood Risk Management correspondence.
Environment Policy 14
Loss of agricultural land only if overriding need; small scale on Class 2 land with continued grazing possible.
Environment Policy 22
No unacceptable harm to environment or amenity; minimal impacts controlled by conditions.
Environment Policy 2
Protect 9m either side of power lines; panels outside this zone.
Environment Policy 4
Alternative energy sources subject to other policies; principle acceptable balancing renewables against countryside harm.
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.
Compliance with plans and 27m setback
The panels hereby approved shall be installed in full accordance with the details submitted. The distance from the lane to the nearest side of the array shall be no greater than 27m as indicated on Site Plan 1:500 published 17th April and shall be retained as such thereafter. Reason: the application has been assessed on this basis in accordance with the drawing submitted and in the interest of the ecosystems and marshy grassland within the area.
Decommissioning if unused
In the event that the solar panels hereby approved are no longer used or required for renewable and alternative energy generation for the property known as 'Claddagh Farm' (as outlined in blue on Location Plan 1:2500) for a period exceeding 12 months, the solar panels and any supporting frames and infrastructure, including any concrete piles and cabling shall be removed and the ground restored to its former condition within 6 months of the date the use ceased. Reason: The structures have been exceptionally approved solely to meet sustainable energy need and its subsequent retention would result in an unwarranted intrusion in the countryside.
no highways interest
no objection subject to conditions
no objection subject to conditions
Lezayre Parish Commissioners have no objection to the application, even after reviewing new information. DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team has no objection subject to a condition restricting the solar panels to no further than 27m south of the track.
Key concern: impacts on the marshy grassland
Lezayre Parish Commissioners
No ObjectionAs the Commissioners have already looked at this planning application and have no objection to it I don't believe the new information would change their minds.
DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team
Conditional No ObjectionNo objection subject to condition; Photos provided with the application show that the area where the solar panels are to be located is heavily disturbed and dry. The marshy grassland habitat seems to be located further south and lower down in the field.; In order to avoid impacts on the marshy grassland a condition should be secured which ensures that that solar panels are built no further than 27m to the south of the track.
Conditions requested: In order to avoid impacts on the marshy grassland a condition should be secured which ensures that that solar panels are built no further than 27m to the south of the track.
