Officer Planning Report

Planning Report And Recommendations {{table:123830}} {{table:123831}} {{table:123832}} {{table:123833}} ### Considerations {{table:123834}} ### Written Representations Mr A Jessop ### Consultations It is advised that this should done as soon as possible as it could have implication on its location and electrical installation of the Wind Turbine. 02.03.06 - All work on the site to be carried out with reference to HSE Guidance note CS6 and HSE Guidance note HS (G) 47. Please contact the MEA for an Electrical Site Safety 5.

Officer's Report

Description Of Application Site

• The application site is situated on the southern side of Andreas Road.
• The site is located within the open countryside.
• The surrounding countryside is relatively flat in character.
• The application site is set within an area not zoned for development.

Proposal

• Proposed is the erection of a pole-mounted wind turbine which will generate 2.5kw of energy.
• The pole will be 6.5m high and the rotor blades 3.495m in diameter.
• The blades are to be matt black as are the turbine body. The tower will be matt galvanised steel grey.

Relevant Planning History

• 05/00747/B – Erection of a 6Kw wind turbine on a 9 metre self supporting tapered mast with concrete base – refused at review on 23rd September 2005

Development Plan Policies

• Isle of Man Planning Scheme (Development Plan) Order 1982
• Isle of Man Strategic Plan (Modified Draft) 2004; GP3, EP1, EP4, Energy Policy 4

Statutory Consultation Responses

• Andreas Parish Commissioners – opposed to the proposal in that it will still be seen from the main roadway and would therefore have a detrimental effect on the countryside.
• Highways Division, DoT – no comments received

Public Responses

• Press notice were posted on 22/12/05 and 23.2.06
• Representations have been received from the MEA and Mr Jessop.
• The MEA has provided the following comment
• If the applicant requires to connect the wind turbine to the MEA electricity supply he must make an application to the MEA. It is advised that this should be done as soon as possible as it could have implications on its location and electrical installation of the wind turbine.
• All work on the site to be carried out with reference to HSE Guidance note GS6 and HSE Guidance note HS(G)47
• Mr Jessop has provided the following comments:
• notes that approval has been granted for erection of a wind turbine on a 9m pole at Cordeman, St Marks. As this location is a relatively open area, and the visual impact has obviously been considered in approving the application, I hope that a similar enlightened view will be taken in respect of these other applications
• Believes that the latest application addresses the concern of the planning committee and should now be approved.
• As an aside, and this relevant to all applications for ‘domestic’ wind turbines, I believe there should be a general presumption in favour of approval of all such applications unless the impact would be so grossly adverse to the amenity of the area or to neighbours that the application would warrant refusal. If the island is to properly adopt a ‘sustainable development’ policy then the means of generating electricity, whether by wind, solar, water or other renewable source should be at the forefront of that policy.

Issues

• The application site is situated on the southern side of Andreas Road. The site is located within the open countryside. The surrounding countryside is relatively flat in character.
• In respect of the impact on visual amenities of the locality, the proposed mast would be set approximately 30m from the frontage of Andreas Road and approximately 64m from the Pond Road. The mast will be located approximately 20m southeast from the main dwellinghouse. The the application site has very limited landscaping features along the Andreas Road and the Pond Road obscuring any views of the proposed wind turbine. Since the proposal is set back from the public

highway and relatively close by to existing buildings I do not consider the proposal would be prominent within the landscape. I therefore consider the proposal would not be out of character with the surrounding area and would not be visually intrusive to the visual amenities of the locality.

• The proposed turbine would be situated within 110m of Close-e-Cleator (Crellin) and 130m away from the Close-e-Cleator(Radcliffe). The planning submission indicates the proposed turbine will have a mechanical gearbox. This would certainly make a difference in the level of noise to be generated from the turbine. The applicant has evidence to demonstrate the proposed development would not impact on neighbouring properties from actual or perceived noise disturbance. I therefore consider any impact on neighbouring residential properties from noise disturbance to be significantly reduced

Conclusion

I therefore recommend that permission be granted subject to condition attached in the schedule.

Party Status

I consider that the following should be granted party status due to them being a Statutory Consultee:

• Andreas Parish Commissioners

I consider that the following do not meet the criteria of Government Circular 1/06 and should not be afforded interested party status:

• Mr Jessop
• MEA

Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of Recommendation: 20.03.2006

Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C : Conditions for approval N : Notes attached to conditions R : Reasons for refusal

• : Notes attached to refusals

C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.

C 2. This permission relates to the erection of a wind turbine as shown in drawing numbers 4; 5; and 6 date stamped 14/12/05; 4a; 5a; 5b date stamped 15th February 2006; Letter from TL & JE Goodfellow dated 14th February 2006; Technical Specification Sheet from Proven Wind Turbines.

NOTE: PTO

I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular Nos 44/05 (Delegation of Functions to Director of Planning and Building Control) and 47/05 (Delegation of Functions to Senior Planning Officer)

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 11-4-06

Signed: M. I. McCauley Director of Planning and Building Control Senior Planning Officer, in the absence of the Director of P/BC

NOTE: If the applicant requires to connect the wind turbine to the MEA electricity supply they must make an application to the MEA as soon as practicable as there could be implications for its location a electrical installation of the wind Turbine.

All work on site should be carried out with reference to HSE Guidance note GS6 and HSE Guidance note HS (G)47.

The applicant is advised to contact the MEA for an Electrical Site Safety S.