Planning Applications

Summary

The requester asked for the number of rejected renewable energy planning applications on private land since January 2018. The authority responded that most decisions are made at officer level and provided limited search results, noting only one refused solar application and one approved wind application.

Key Facts

• Most planning decisions for renewable energy are made at officer level rather than by the Planning Committee.
• Renewable energy mentions in applications are not always searchable in the proposal description.
• A search for 'solar' since January 1, 2018, yielded 37 results with only one refusal.
• A search for 'wind' and 'turbine' since January 1, 2018, yielded one result which was approved.
• The Department cited Section 8.3c of the FOI Act to avoid substantial compilation of information.

Data Disclosed

• January 1 2018
• 2022-02-21
• 2022-03-07
• 37 results
• 1 refused
• 18/00823/B
• 1 result
• Section 8.3c

Exemptions Cited

• Section 8.3c of FOI Act (substantial compilation of information)

Original Request

Since January 1 2018, how many planning applications for renewable energy sources to be installed on private land or homes (such as wind turbines or solar panels) have been rejected by the planning committee?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 2282882 7th March 2022

Dear ###,

We write further to your request which was received on 21st February 2022 and which states:

"Since January 1 2018, how many planning applications for renewable energy sources to be installed on private land or homes (such as wind turbines or solar panels) have been rejected by the planning committee?"

Our response to your request is as follows. Response The installation of solar panels and wind turbines is not always a decision of the Planning Committee, most decisions are made at officer level. A planning application may propose works where renewable energy development may be included in the content but their mention may not appear in the application proposal description and is not therefore readily searchable/retrievable in answer to this question. Using the search criteria ‘solar’, since January 1st 2018, out of the 37 results found only one planning application was refused. This was 18/00823/B. Using the search criteria ‘wind’ ‘turbine’, since January 1st 2018, the search gave 1 result and this planning application was approved. Under Section 8.3c of FOI Act the Department is not required to undertake substantial compilation of information that it holds – however, if you specify more specific search terms for other renewable energies, we would be able to carry out further searches for you. Please make a new request if you wish to do so. Please quote the reference number 2282882 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.