Field 432800, Castletown Road, Ballabeg, Castletown, Isle Of Man, IM9 4lb
The proposal involves installing solar photovoltaic arrays across fields 435237, 435238, 434874, 434048, 435175, 435176, 432816, and 432800, generating up to 27MW of electricity, including 12 battery storage containers (24MW capacity), buildings for substation, control centre and switch room, internal tracks, fencing, …
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Strategic Policy 4
Requires proposals to protect or enhance fabric and setting of heritage assets including Ancient Monuments, Registered Buildings, Conservation Areas. Heritage chapter assesses direct effects on archaeology and settings within 1-2km; recommends evaluation via condition if approved.
Policy 40
Prohibits development damaging archaeological sites, Ancient Monuments or settings. Site has high prehistoric potential; mitigation via geophysical survey/trial trenching recommended.
Policy 41
Requires archaeological evaluations prior to determination for sites of known/potential significance; secures excavations/recording via condition if needed.
Environmental Policy 6
Provides for designation of National Heritage Areas for ecological/archaeological/landscape value.
Environment Policy 4
Development involving alternative energy including solar panels judged against environmental policies; referenced by supporters as supportive unless conflicting with ENV1/2.
Acceptable in highway terms subject to Construction Traffic Management Plan condition; DNOC
Suitable assessments undertaken; content with landscape strategy subject to conditions for CEMP, ECoW, landscaping, wildlife features, and lighting; expects biodiversity net gain
Supports scheme for renewable energy provision aiding ESG goals, economic strategy, Island Plan, and Climate Change Plan targets including 20MW renewables by 2026
Strong support for contribution to decarbonisation, alignment with Strategic Plan Energy Policy 4, Environment Policies, Climate Change Act duties, and net zero targets
Strong support; aligns with emission targets, provides green energy/jobs/habitat, private investment, no taxpayer cost; criticises MUA objections as self-interest
Fully supports; meets climate targets, minimal visual impact, grid balancing, biodiversity, private funding
Highways Development Control offers no objection subject to conditions on access and Construction Traffic Management Plan; DEFA Biodiversity offers conditional no objection with detailed ecological mitigation requirements; Manx Utilities Authority raises significant concerns about grid capacity and stability without formal objection.
Key concern: unacceptable risk to power system stability and potential Island-wide black-outs from large-scale solar connection without detailed technical studies
Department of Infrastructure Highways Development Control
Conditional No ObjectionRecommendation: DNOC.; The proposal is acceptable in highway terms on submission of a Construction Traffic Management Plan
Conditions requested: Access and layout to Drawing 2895-01-03; Construction Traffic Management Plan to be submitted for approval of details to include speed flow analysis and plan(s) of compound layouts
DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team
Conditional No ObjectionThe Ecosystem Policy Team believe, should the above measures be secured and implemented... this development will result in biodiversity net gain
Conditions requested: Details of a suitably qualified Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) to be provided to Planning for written approval prior to any works; A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) to be provided to Planning for written approval prior to any works, incorporating PWMS for common lizards, frogs and birds; responsible construction lighting per BCT and ILP Guidance Note 8; protection of boundary features; pollution prevention; invasive plant removal; A detailed landscape plan including new hedge and tree planting details and seed mixes, with standard maintenance condition; A plan showing location and specification of wildlife features: minimum five bird boxes, ten bat roost boxes, refugia/hibernacula, insect hotels; No permanent lighting unless low level lighting plan per BCT and ILP Guidance Note 8 Bats and Artificial Lighting (12th September 2018) or updated version submitted for approval; Responsible construction lighting avoiding illumination of boundary features per BCT and ILP Guidance Note 8 or updated version
Manx Utilities Authority
ObjectionManx Utilities does not believe that approving this application is currently in the national interest; this facility would introduce unacceptable risk to the power system if it was directly connected to it
