Information sessions on onshore windfarm proposals

Eight information sessions will take place from 19 to 27 October

A series of public information sessions is being held to allow the public to find out more about proposals for an onshore windfarm in the south of the Isle of Man.

The Manx Utilities (MU) plans would see the installation of up to four turbines in Earystane Plantation, which would generate a quarter of the Island’s annual electricity needs.

The eight sessions, to be held between 19 and 27 October, will see senior MU officers and consultants provide an update on the Cair Vie project and listen to public views.

Chief executive Phil King said the firm would analyse feedback gathered about the government-funded project and use it to influence "what we do and how we do it".

'Part of process'

It was "vitally important" to engage with residents as it was an island-wide programme and would "affect people in one way or another", he said.

Still in their "development phase", the proposals were yet to secure funding or under procurement, but wind speed monitoring as part of the environmental impact assessment "looked great", he said.

Mr King confirmed plans for the wind farm were expected to be submitted in March.

While concerns had been raised locally about the proposals, he said it was "really important those people were part of the process", and challenges to the project were "healthy" and could be used to influence designs going forward.

It was also important to have "confidence in the planning process", which was there to facilitate sustainable development and ensured socioeconomics, environment and the economy were considered, he added.

Sessions will be held at weekends between 12:00 and 16:00 BST at Morton Hall in Castletown on 19 October, Douglas City Hall on 20 October, Peel Centenary Centre on 26 October and Ramsey Courthouse on 27 October.

Additional weekday sessions, between 14:00 to 19:00 will take place at on 21 October at Peel Centenary Centre, 22 October at Douglas City Hall, 23 October at Morton Hall and 25 October at Ramsey Courthouse.