**Document:** Officer Planning Report Recommendations **Application:** 06/01252/B — Installation of two solar panels on roof and erection of wind generator mounted on a five metre high pole **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2006-10-03 **Parish:** Bride **Document Type:** report / officer_report **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/81101-bride-ayres-visitors-centre-ballaghennie-solar-panels/documents/1474082 --- # Officer Planning Report Recommendations ## Planning Report And Recommendations [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Considerations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Written Representations ### Consultations [Table omitted in markdown export] ### Officer's Report #### Site The Ayres Visitors Centre, Ballaghennie Road, Bride, is a single storey detached property which is located on the northern side of the Ballaghennie Road and north of the A10. #### Land Use Zoning / Policy The property has been zoned within the Isle of Man Development Plan Order 1982 as being within an area of high landscape value and a Nature Conservation zones, nature reserves and sites of ecological importance for conservation. ## Proposal The application proposes installation of two solar panels on roof and erection of wind generator mounted on a five metre high pole, to provide electricity supply for the audio and visual systems in the visitor centre. The two solar panels proposed to be installed on the southern roof elevation of the visitors centre, will measure 1.2 metres in length and 0.5 metres in width. The wind generator proposed will be mounted on a 5 metre high pole and located adjacent to the visitors centre (west elevation, when view from the A10), the maximum height of the structure is 6.25 metres (5m pole + 1.25 blades). The structure is to have a concrete foundation and added support will be given via 3 galvanised steel stays. ## Representations Highways Division do not oppose Manx National Heritage:- In considering all the factors, and following a meeting with Manx Wildlife Trust to obtain more detailed information, MNH raises no formal objection to the proposal for a wind generator and solar panels, providing that the following requirements are set down in planning conditions attached to any approval. The total height of the generator and its mast does not exceed 6.25m The mast and its housing are located no more than 4.5 metres from the west side of the building. The wind generator is treated as a temporary structure and is removed from site between October and April inclusive every year. Manx Electricity Authority:- If the applicant requires to connect any private generation to the M.E.A. electricity supply they must make an application to the M.E.A. as soon as possible. The implications due to the location of any such installations need early consideration and they must conform to the appropriate standards as set down for embedded generation. Contact the M.E.A. Planning Department (Tel. 687781). We have received no privately written representations objecting to the application. ## Assessment / recommendation Issues to be considered with the application include:- - (A) Visual appearance. ## Visual appearance As the site is within a high landscape value and also in a Nature Conservation zones, nature reserves and sites of ecological importance for conservation extra consideration must be undertaken to ensure the impact of the proposal will not have a detrimental impact to the detriment of the surrounding area. The wind generator is a fairly small structure which does not project significantly above the ridge line of the visitor centre. The two solar panels are relatively small in scale in relation to the visitor centre building. The proposals will of course cause a slight impact to the appearance of the area, (i.e. sun glaze from the solar panels), but I do not believe the minor visual impact will be significant enough particularly due to the existing building in place and as the benefits of the proposals are of a positive use. For the reasons stated above the proposals would seem appropriate in these locations and therefore my recommendation is for an approval. I consider that the following meet the criteria of Government Circular 1/06 and should be afforded interested party status: - Bride Parish Commissioners - Department of Transport Highways Division - Manx National Heritage - Manx Electricity Authority ### Recommendation Recommended Decision: Permitted Date of Recommendation: 26.09.2006 ### Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal - : Notes attached to refusals C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice. C 2. This approval relates to the submitted documents which are date-stamped 24th July 2006. N 1. If the applicant requires to connect any private generation to the M.E.A. electricity supply they must make an application to the M.E.A. as soon as possible. The implications due to the location of any such installations need early consideration and they must conform to the appropriate standards as set down for embedded generation. Contact the M.E.A. Planning Department (Tel. 687781). I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular Nos 44/05 (Delegation of Functions to Director of Planning and Building Control) and 47/05 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer) Decision Made : Permitted _______________ Date : 29/9/06 Signed : _______________________________ M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control --- *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/81101-bride-ayres-visitors-centre-ballaghennie-solar-panels/documents/1474082*