Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners have warned that key information about the proposed onshore wind farm at Earystane remains unavailable.
It also warns that elected representatives risk entering the formal planning process without the detail they need.
In a letter to all Members of Tynwald, Clerk Barry Kennedy stresses that the Commissioners are not expressing a view on the planning merits of the scheme.
Instead, they highlight “serious concerns regarding transparency, process, and the availability of critical information”, drawing comparisons with the earlier Mooir Vannin offshore wind proposal, where Members later felt limited in their ability to engage once statutory procedures had begun.
Concerns
The Commissioners note that Manx Utilities has already applied for an energy generation licence, while correspondence indicates a planning application is “imminent”.
They ask Members to establish what commitments may already have been made and what Government’s position would be if consent were ultimately refused.
They also say there is still no “clear, single project description” covering turbine locations, cable routes, the substation and the full transportation route from Douglas to Earystane.
Consultation?
Concerns about consultation and public engagement feature prominently. The letter points out that the MUA website has not been substantively updated for more than a year, details of the October 2024 consultation have not been published, and legal representatives acting for residents have been unable to contact project consultants.
Further issues raised include the treatment of landowners and tenants, the legal status of land at Earystane, environmental sensitivity, potential impacts on existing utilities and rural businesses, and uncertainty around compensation and community benefit.
The Commissioners warn that there is currently “no clear information” on whether the development would provide any direct financial benefit to the local authority, while possible negative effects on property values, tourism and the rates base remain unassessed.
They urge Members to raise these matters with Ministers and Manx Utilities “as a matter of urgency” to ensure decisions are taken transparently and with full understanding of their implications.