MHK calls for new heathland assessment on proposed windfarm site

MU confirmed plans to progress with turbines at Earystane and Scard in early October

A new assessment of whether a proposed windfarm site in the south of the Isle of Man is heathland should be carried out as a "priority", an MHK has said.

Manx Utilities (MU) recently announced plans to progress with a government-funded scheme at Earystane and Scard.

Chairman Tim Crookall previously said it had "not been designated as heathland" by the government.

But Jason Moorhouse MHK said he still had concerns about the site's classification.

Five turbines could be built in the area, which could deliver up to 130 gigawatts of energy per year.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) commenced in September and is expected to be completed during 2025.

'More certainty'

The project, which could cost between £30m and £40m, would then go through planning processes with the aim of the farm to be in operation by the end of 2026.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Moorhouse said: "When we're spending money like this we need to make sure we're not going to stop in 12 to 18 months because of this very reason."

He said "much more certainty" was needed as while one Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa) report stated the site was not heathland, another from 2008 said it was.

He argued evidence in the latter report, which focused on Cringle Reservoir and quarry, would mean construction of a windfarm in the area would be prohibited.

Responding to the concerns in response to a written question in August, Mr Crookall said Manx Utilities was not able to comment on heathland at the quarry as "it lies well beyond the proposed site boundary" for the development.

In another written response, Mr Crookall said the environment department had previously stated the area covered by the Earystane plantation was not classified as heathland because "it was originally established on previously uncultivated heathland".

Mr Moorhouse will question Mr Crookall about the issues in the House of Keys on Tuesday.

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