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MUA Chairman Tim Crookall MHK

The chair of Manx Utilities (MU) says that the proposed windfarm site at Earystane and Scard is not on heathland.

 

Although, Mr Crookall also said studies have been done which show ‘small patches’ of heath in the area.

 

Tim Crookall told the House of Keys yesterday (October 31), the authority is using definitions from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture to make this determination.

 

Jason Moorhouse, MHK for Arbory, Castletown and Malew, had asked the MU for a new assessment.

 

Heath at Earystane 

 

The Isle of Man Government published a document in 2010 that confirms there is “underlying heath” at Earystane.

The document that is part of the Cringle Quarry planning application [reference 08/02090/B], document reference [0802090B Additional Docs Part 7 of 15.pdf] states: “The clearance of failed forestry at Earystane, with the reinstatement of the underlying heath".

It also states that under the ‘Findings of the investigations into the above schemes’ the Earystane option was discussed but later dismissed. This was due to several factors including "cost of works, loss of Short Eared Owl and Hen Harrier nesting habitat and the predominance of European gorse in the underlying heath".

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