**Document:** Decision Notice **Application:** 24/91394/B — Erection of ground mounted solar pv array **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2025-05-23 **Parish:** Lezayre **Document Type:** decision / decision_notice **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/33804-lezayre-claddagh-farm-ground-mounted-solar/documents/1082080 --- # Decision Notice Mr Michael Hoctor Capel Glen Pinfold Hill Isle Of Man Laxey IM4 7HP TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1999 The Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 In pursuance of powers granted under the above Act and Order the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture determined to APPROVE an application by Mr Roger Smith, Ref 24/91394/B, for the Erection of ground mounted solar pv array at Claddagh Farm Sulby Bridge Sulby Isle Of Man IM7 2EZ . Any conditions or notes which apply to the approval are set out below. This approval is subject to compliance with any conditions listed and may not be implemented until it becomes final (see guidance notes). - 1. 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. - 2. 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. - 3. 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. This approval relates to the following: - o Location Plan 1:1250 - o Location Plan 1:2500 - o Site Plan 1:500 - o Plan and Section 1:100 - o Site Photo - - All date published online 17 Apr 2025 o Site Photos o Utilities Map - - Both date received online 04 Apr 2025 o Flood Risk Assessment o Solar Installation Guide o Proposed Solar Array o Solar Datasheets - - All date published online 12 Dec 2025 This decision has been made for the following reasons(s) Overall the principle of solar panels is considered acceptable as per paragraph 12.2.8 and Energy Policy 4 of the Strategic Plan and aligning with those parts of the Climate Change Act 2021 and Climate Change Action Plan 2022-27 in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The visual and amenity impact is considered to be acceptable meeting with Environment Policies 1, 2 and 22 and is not to result in any adverse loss of agricultural land nor impact habitats in line with Environment Policies 4 and 14. Conditions will be added to ensure the panels and any ground works and framing are removed in the event they are no longer needed, and that their siting be in full accordance with the submitted plans being 27m from the access lane to the main house to ensure no harm to the marshy grassland. Date of Issue: 23rd May 2025 J CHANCE Director of Planning and Building Control Guidance Note This decision was made by the Planning Committee in accordance with the authority delegated to it. This decision refers only to that applied for under the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 and its subordinate legislation. A copy of the Officer’s report and any correspondence which informed the assessment and decision is available to view on the Government’s website (via https://pbc.gov.im/onlineapplications/) Implementation A determination to grant planning approval does not have effect — -  if an appeal is submitted until the appeal is determined or withdrawn; or -  if no appeal is submitted, but there are potential appellants in addition to the applicant, until the time within which an appeal may be submitted has expired (21 days from the date of this notice). Development must be carried out in accordance with the approved plans and any attached conditions (irrespective of any changes that may separately be requested at the Building Control stage or by any other Statutory Authority). This approval does not remove the need to also comply with any other relevant legislation. Any conditions requiring certain works, submissions etc. prior to commencement of development must be fulfilled prior to work starting on site. Failure to adhere to this approval and meet the requirements of all conditions may invalidate this approval or result in formal enforcement action. Appeal Any appeal can only be made by a person who has been accorded rights to do so, must be in writing, include the appropriate fee and be submitted to the Department within 21 days of the date of this Notice. Guidance on how to appeal is available at gov.im/howtoappeal --- *Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).* *Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/33804-lezayre-claddagh-farm-ground-mounted-solar/documents/1082080*