30 October 2009 · Deputy Minister for Local Government and the Environment (Hon. P. A. Gawne, MHK)
Dwelling At Ballacashin Farm, Lanjaghan Road, Abbeylands, Isle Of Man, IM4 5eg
The proposal was for a small domestic-scale wind turbine (6kW capacity, 9m hub height, 5.5m rotor diameter) on open land west of the derelict Ballachashin Farmhouse, which has extant permission for conversion to a dwelling (expiring June 2010). The site is in countryside designated as open space, on a valley side.
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The Planning Committee refused because, despite support for renewables, the turbine's elevated valley-side location would cause unacceptable harm to visual and general amenity, outweighing benefits an…
General Policy 3
Presumes against development outside zoned areas except specific exceptions (e.g. agriculture, conversions); officer found turbine did not qualify as it harmed countryside despite renewable intent. Inspector balanced against energy benefits, finding small scale acceptable with dwelling link.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside for its own sake unless overriding national need with no alternative; refusal cited visual harm, but appeal found no significant harm from domestic turbine in exposed (necessary) location.
Energy Policy 4
Judges renewables against environmental policies, requiring EIA for wind (not needed here per Appendix 5); officer required impact balance, appeal found renewable benefits outweighed minor visual effects.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall begin no later than four years from the date of this decision.
Link to farmhouse completion
The proposed development shall not begin before the renovation and extension works permitted for the existing farmhouse building has been substantially completed.
The original application for erection of a free-standing wind turbine was refused by the Planning Committee primarily due to visual and amenity harm in the countryside and presumption against development under Strategic Plan policies GP3, EP1, and Energy Policy 4. The appellant argued for support of renewable energy to combat global warming, minimal visual impact comparable to an electricity pole, no harm to wildlife or animals, and acceptance of a condition linking the turbine to farmhouse renovation works. The inspector found no significant harm to visual amenities from the small-scale domestic turbine, dismissed noise and wildlife concerns, and accepted the need conditional on substantial completion of the farmhouse renovation. The appeal was upheld with conditions, and formal approval granted by the Deputy Minister on 22 March 2010.
Precedent Value
Single domestic wind turbines in countryside can be permitted where visual harm not significant, especially with conditions tying to functional need; future applicants should provide technical evidence on noise/wildlife, propose relocation options, and accept robust implementation conditions.
Inspector: David G Hollis
