Ecological surveys of onshore wind farm site

Summary

The requester asked for a dated list of ecological surveys and DEFA licences for the Earystane and Scard wind farm sites. The Manx Utilities Authority responded that they do not hold this specific information as surveys are conducted by a third party, Wardell-Armstrong, who holds the necessary personal licences.

Key Facts

• Manx Utilities Authority does not hold a full dated list of survey commencement dates.
• Environmental Impact Assessment surveys are carried out by the contractor Wardell-Armstrong.
• No licences have been issued directly to Manx Utilities Authority.
• Ecological survey licences are held by individual ecologists at Wardell-Armstrong, not the authority.
• Some survey timing details are available on the Manx Utilities website.

Data Disclosed

• 4588209
• 2025-04-15
• 2025-05-06
• 6 May 2025
• 15 April 2025
• IM99 1PS
• 01624 687687

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held by the public authority

Original Request

A full dated list of when surveys commenced at the Earystane and Scard proposed onshore wind farm location, and what those surveys entail. A full dated list of licences issued to the Manx Utilities Authority by DEFA regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment surveys. Details on what each licence relates to and why it is required. In addition, details of any surveys DEFA have deemed as not needing a licence.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Manx Utilities PO Box 177, Douglas Isle of Man, IM99 1PS

e: enquiries@manxutilities.im t: 01624 687687 www.manxutilities.im

Our ref: 4588209 6 May 2025

Dear ###

This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

We write further to your request received 15 April 2025, which states:

"A full dated list of when surveys commenced at the Earystane and Scard proposed onshore wind farm location, and what those surveys entail.
A full dated list of licences issued to the Manx Utilities Authority by DEFA regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment surveys.
Details on what each licence relates to and why it is required.
In addition, details of any surveys DEFA have deemed as not needing a licence."

Our response to your request is as follows:

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

Manx Utilities do not hold a ‘full dated list’ as requested, as the Environmental Impact Assessment surveys are carried out by Wardell-Armstrong. However, some detail regarding potential timings is avaible on our website: ecology-survey-timetable.png. We publish occasional updates on the dedicated section of our website https://www.manxutilities.im/energy-transition/wind/cair-vie-updates/ and advance notices, on behalf of Wardell-Armstrong, via our website and social media. DEFA’s scoping response cair-vie-pre-application-scoping-comments.pdf, may have led to some change requirements in the proposed timings of these surveys, and this response also indicates when and where Licences would be required.
We can confirm that no licences have been issued to Manx Utilities, however, Licences are always held by the individual carrying out an ecological survey. Therefore, any personal licence where required will be held by Wardell-Armstrong’s ecologists, not Manx Utilities. Please quote the reference number 4588209 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.