In the recent news on the Isle of Man, a planning committee has made a decision regarding an application for the installation of two wind turbines at Ballaman estate in the south of the island. The application, submitted by Cheesdon Investment Limited, owned by billionaire John Whittaker, aimed to generate between six and seven kilowatts (KW) of energy for the private estate. However, the committee ultimately rejected the plans citing concerns about the visual impact on the surrounding area and safety implications for the nearby airport.
This decision comes after 24 objections were raised, including concerns from Arbory and Rushen Commissioners who viewed the proposal as an “overdevelopment of an already highly developed site.” They also highlighted that the visual impact of the turbines would not outweigh any potential environmental benefits. Additionally, some objectors pointed out that the electricity generated would only benefit the applicant’s home and not the wider community.
It is worth noting that similar plans for three 10KW wind turbines at the same site were rejected in 2018 for comparable reasons. However, the planning officer who recommended the recent proposal for approval emphasized that the visual impact from the coastal footpath would be minimal this time around.
Despite the rejection of the plans by five committee members, two members voted in favor of them. They argued that the visual impact had been improved since the previous application and that it would contribute to reducing the applicant’s carbon footprint.
Overall, the decision to reject the wind turbine plans at Ballaman estate reflects the balancing act between private development and environmental considerations on the Isle of Man. It also underscores the importance of community input and thorough assessments in the planning process to ensure sustainable and responsible development practices.
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