Earystane Forest

Summary

Cair Vie Resistance requested confirmation of any agreements or approvals regarding the sale or transfer of Earystane Forest and Cringle Great Park to Manx Utilities Authority. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that no such agreements, memoranda, or ministerial approvals exist.

Key Facts

• The request concerned potential land transfer negotiations between DEFA, Treasury, and Manx Utilities Authority.
• DEFA confirmed it has not entered into any Memorandum of Understanding or contractual agreement regarding the lands.
• DEFA confirmed there has been no ministerial or interdepartmental approval for the disposal or transfer of the lands.
• The response was issued under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The case was closed on 11 March 2026.

Data Disclosed

• 5313073
• 2026-02-16
• 2026-03-11
• 1996
• s.3
• IM4 3AS
• 01624 685854
• 01624 685851

Original Request

Through the information disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act 2015, Cair Vie Resistance has learned that the Manx Utilities Authority has submitted an application for consent under The Electricity Act 1996, s.3 to establish a wind driven power generation station at Earystane. Secretive discussions have taken place between officers of DEFA and Treasury regarding the sale or transfer of land at Earystane Forest and Cringle Great Park.

These negotiations, taking place without consultation with the statutory beneficiaries and without express Tynwald authorisation, may constitute a breach of statutory trust and maladministration.

We therefore request confirmation as the whether DEFA has entered into or authorised any Memorandum of Understanding, heads of terms, or other contractual or quasi-contractual agreement or commercial understanding with the MUA, or other parties, concerning these lands; and whether any ministerial or interdepartmental approval (public or otherwise) has been given for their disposal or transfer.