Wind farm opponents have criticised Manx Utilities and a government department over claims of “unlawful activity” at Earystane and Scard.
Cair Vie Resistance says that several ecological surveys carried out at the proposed Cair Vie wind power station site should not have proceeded without specific wildlife licences.
This is despite assertions by the MUA and Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture that all work was lawful.
Cair Vie Resistance agrees that consultants are expected to understand licensing obligations, however it says “DEFA’s attempt to distance itself from enforcement is troubling”.
Hen Harrier Disturbance
The group claims that a entomologist was reported in 2024 after possibly causing disturbance to a nesting pair of Hen Harriers.
It says this incident occurred during an invertebrate survey, which the group believes should have been licensed due to the known presence of ground-nesting birds in the area.
The company acknowledged the existence of the birds in their Technical Report issued March 2025:
“During the surveys undertaken in 2024, we have a gap in the data during the months of June and July for the heathland transect within the north of the Turbine site and within June for the Grassland and plantation areas within the Turbine site.
“This is due to identifying hen harriers attempting to nest within the Turbine site and therefore, the bat survey was not undertaken to avoid any impact to this species.”
Concerns
Along with bat, lizard and amphibian surveys, Cair Vie Resistance raise concerns about the deployment of the SODAR acoustic wind monitoring device.
It says the device was moved into position using a vehicle across open moorland and emitted acoustic pulses close to known breeding sites of Long- eared Owl and Hen Harrier.
Car Vie Resistance says “no licence appears to have been in place, despite the clear potential for disturbance”.
Disturbance
After an enquiry from Cair Vie resistance, Manx Wildlife Trust, which has not been involved in the survey work, confirmed that its staff hold numerous Schedule 1, 5 and 7 licences covering birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, invertebrates and plants.
And email seen by Manx .News from MWT shows it is “of the opinion that the holding of such licences are a basic requirement to conducting any ecological survey where there is potential to cause any disturbance, whether this is intentional, incidental or accidental.”
“DEFA’s statement appears designed to deflect responsibility, but it does nothing to address the core question: why were licences not obtained for activities that are likely to have disturbed protected species?” said Kirrie Jenkins, spokesperson for Cair Vie Resistance.
“We will not allow the destruction of our uplands to be waived through under a cloak of pretence and denial and call for an immediate investigation. “
4 Comments