Onshore wind site selection
| Authority | Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture |
|---|---|
| Date received | 2025-06-24 |
| Outcome | Some information sent but part exempt |
| Outcome date | 2025-07-17 |
| Case ID | 4742001 |
Summary
The requester asked for contracts and meeting minutes regarding onshore wind site selection, but the authority disclosed a Wildlife Act licence issued to Wardell Armstrong for bird surveys at the Cair Vie wind farm instead.
Key Facts
- The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture issued a licence under the Wildlife Act 1990 to Wardell Armstrong.
- The licence permits disturbance of Schedule 1 birds for impact assessment of the proposed Cair Vie onshore wind farm.
- Specific survey activities include vantage point surveys, collision risk monitoring, and bioacoustics monitoring.
- A report on the use of this licence is required by 31st January 2026.
- The outcome of the FOI request was 'Some information sent but part exempt'.
Data Disclosed
- 2025-06-24
- 2025-07-17
- 12
- 2
- WLA/P016/25
- 4th April 2025
- 31st December 2025
- 31st January 2026
- 7/4/25
- £10,000
- 1990
- 1993
- 2012
- 2009
- 1998
- 2013
- 2011
- 2017
Original Request
A copy of the contract, scope of work, or terms of reference issued to Wardell Armstrong in relation to site selection or feasibility studies for onshore wind energy on the Isle of Man Minutes or notes of meetings where the criteria for land selection were discussed or agreed upon. Any documents showing whether private landowners were invited or excluded from the site selection process.
Data Tables (1)
Data Tables (reformatted)
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Licence Type | Personal Licence |
| Licence Number | WLA/P016/25 |
| Issuing Authority | Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) |
| Legal Basis | Section 16 of the Wildlife Act 1990 |
| Licensed Person | Wardell Armstrong, 41-50 Futura Park, Aspinall Way, Middlebrook, Bolton, BL6 6SU |
| Licensed Activities | For scientific and educational purposes: To disturb Schedule 1 birds in the course of undertaking bird survey work for impact assessment of the proposed Cair Vie onshore wind farm, to include vantage point surveys, collision risk monitoring surveys, common bird census breeding bird surveys, and breeding long eared owl and bioacoustics monitoring surveys. |
| Validity Period | 4th April 2025 to 31st December 2025 |
| Reporting Deadline | 31st January 2026 |
| Signatory | Dr Ken Milne, Director of Environment |
| Date Signed | 7/4/25 |
| Condition No. | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 | The licence holder must exercise the utmost care to avoid undue disturbance to Schedule 1 birds, and other species of wild bird, during the breeding season, and in particular to avoid any action which might endanger breeding success. |
| 2 | The welfare of the birds is primary in all considerations. |
| 3 | The licensee should follow the general surveying procedures contained in the "Personal Statement in Support of Schedule 1 Licence Application", though the survey routes and location of bioacoustics detectors and/or other equipment have been slightly altered to take account of Schedule 1 bird nests and may need to be altered again. |
| 4 | If Schedule 1 birds are found, the survey procedures, routes and equipment locations must be reviewed in order to prevent disturbance. Any changes must be reported to the Ecosystem Policy Team. |
| 5 | The licensee holder must move directly away from the area if an incident of disturbance occurs. Any disturbances must be reported to the Ecosystem Policy Team as soon as possible after the event. |
| 6 | The licensee must regularly update the other survey teams regarding Schedule 1 bird findings, so that they are able to modify their survey routes appropriately. |
| 7 | The appropriate behaviour of accompanying persons is a responsibility of the named licensee, who must ensure suitable briefing and awareness regarding potential damage/disturbance. |
| 8 | A report on the use of this licence will be provided to DEFA by 31st January 2026. The licence holder must comply with the reporting requirements specified in Annex A. No replacement license will be issued until a report has been received for this license. |
| 9 | This licence is valid from 4th April 2025 to the 31st December 2025 and may be modified or revoked at any time by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. |
| Reference | Source / Description |
|---|---|
| A | F. Brown & K. B. Shepherd (1993) A method for censusing upland breeding waders, Bird Study, 40:3, 189-195. |
| B | Barn Owl Trust (2012) Barn Owl Conservation Handbook, Pelagic Publishing, Exeter |
| C | Calladine, J., Garner, G., Wernham, C. & Thiel, A. (2009) The influence of survey frequency on population estimates of moorland breeding birds. Bird Study, 56: 3, 381-388. |
| D | Gilbert G, Gibbons D. W. and Evans J. (1998) Bird Monitoring Methods. RSPB Sandy |
| E | Hardey, J., Crick, H., Wernham, C., Riley, H. & Thompson, D. (2013): Raptors: a field guide to survey and monitoring. 3rd Edition. The Stationery Office. |
| F | Shawyer, C. R. (2011). Barn Owl Tyto alba Survey Methodology and Techniques for use in Ecological Assessment: Developing Best Practice in Survey and Reporting. IEEM, Winchester |
| G | Scottish Natural Heritage. Recommended bird survey methods to inform impact assessment of onshore wind farms (March 2017). |
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Penalties for Non-Compliance | May be an offence against the Wildlife Act 1990 with penalties of up to £10,000. |
| Withdrawal of Permission | May result in your permission to use this licence being withdrawn. DEFA will inform the licence holder if this licence is withdrawn in writing. This sanction may be applied to other similar licences. |
| Licence Limits (Purpose) | Licences permit action only for the purposes specified on that licence. |
| Licence Limits (Other Legislation) | Licences do not permit actions prohibited under any other legislation, nor do they confer any right of entry upon land. You must obtain landowner and tenant permission as necessary. |
| Protected Sites (ASSI) | A licence is not permission from DEFA for an activity that could damage an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI). Owners and occupiers of sites notified as ASSIs are required to give written notice to DEFA before beginning any operations that could damage special features. |
| Biosecurity | Users of this licence should consider the risks of activities to biosecurity and take relevant precautions. |
Full Response Text
REDACTED Ecosystem Policy Team, DEFA, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St. Johns, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no. (01624) 651577 Email: ecopolicy@gov.im www.gov.im
Wildlife Act 1990 Personal Licence: Licence No. WLA/P016/25
In exercise of the powers conferred on the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture by Section 16 of the Wildlife Act 1990, the person detailed below is hereby licensed to carry out the activities listed below which would otherwise be prohibited by the Act and the Byelaws. Use of this licence is subject to the conditions specified below.
Licensed persons , Wardell Armstrong, 41-50 Futura Park, Aspinall Way, Middlebrook, Bolton, BL6 6SU
Licensed activities
For scientific and educational purposes:
To disturb Schedule 1 birds in the course of undertaking bird survey work for impact assessment of
the proposed Cair Vie onshore wind farm, to include vantage point surveys, collision risk monitoring
surveys, common bird census breeding bird surveys, and breeding long eared owl and bioacoustics
monitoring surveys.
Conditions
1. The licence holder must exercise the utmost care to avoid undue disturbance to Schedule 1 birds, and
other species of wild bird, during the breeding season, and in particular to avoid any action which
might endanger breeding success.
2. The welfare of the birds is primary in all considerations.
3. The licensee should follow the general surveying procedures contained in the “Personal Statement in
Support of Schedule 1 Licence Application”, though the survey routes and location of bioacoustics
detectors and/or other equipment have been slightly altered to take account of Schedule 1 bird nests
and may need to be altered again.
4. If Schedule 1 birds are found, the survey procedures, routes and equipment locations must be
reviewed in order to prevent disturbance. Any changes must be reported to the Ecosystem Policy
Team.
5. The licensee holder must move directly away from the area if an incident of disturbance occurs. Any
disturbances must be reported to the Ecosystem Policy Team as soon as possible after the event.
6. The licensee must regularly update the other survey teams regarding Schedule 1 bird findings, so
that they are able to modify their survey routes appropriately.
7. The appropriate behaviour of accompanying persons is a responsibility of the named licensee, who
must ensure suitable briefing and awareness regarding potential damage/disturbance.
8. A report on the use of this licence will be provided to DEFA by 31st January 2026. The licence
holder must comply with the reporting requirements specified in Annex A. No replacement license will
be issued until a report has been received for this license.
9. This licence is valid from 4th April 2025 to the 31st December 2025 and may be modified or revoked
at any time by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.
REDACTED
Ecosystem Policy Team, DEFA, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St. Johns, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS
Tel no. (01624) 651577
Email: ecopolicy@gov.im
www.gov.im
Signed
Date………7/4/25……………………………………. Dr Ken Milne Director of Environment Environment Directorate Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture
IMPORTANT
This licence authorises acts that would otherwise be offences under the Wildlife Act 1990. Failure to comply with its
terms and conditions:
i.
May be an offence against the Wildlife Act 1990 with penalties of up to £10,000.
ii.
May result in your permission to use this licence being withdrawn. DEFA will inform the licence holder if this
licence is withdrawn in writing. This sanction may be applied to other similar licences.
If the activity that you wish to undertake is not covered by this licence, or if you are unable to comply with any of
the terms and conditions which apply to the use of this licence, then you will need to apply to DEFA for an additional
licence.
INFORMATION AND ADVICE specific to this licence
Guidance for surveying
A. F. Brown & K. B. Shepherd (1993) A method for censusing upland breeding waders, Bird Study, 40:3, 189-195.
Barn Owl Trust (2012) Barn Owl Conservation Handbook, Pelagic Publishing, Exeter
Calladine, J., Garner, G., Wernham, C. & Thiel, A. (2009) The influence of survey frequency on population estimates
of moorland breeding birds. Bird Study, 56: 3, 381-388.
Gilbert G, Gibbons D. W. and Evans J. (1998) Bird Monitoring Methods. RSPB Sandy
Hardey, J., Crick, H., Wernham, C., Riley, H. & Thompson, D. (2013): Raptors: a field guide to survey and monitoring.
3rd Edition. The Stationery Office.
Shawyer, C. R. (2011). Barn Owl Tyto alba Survey Methodology and Techniques for use in Ecological Assessment:
Developing Best Practice in Survey and Reporting. IEEM, Winchester
Scottish Natural Heritage. Recommended bird survey methods to inform impact assessment of onshore wind farms
(March 2017).
The limits of licences a. Licences permit action only for the purposes specified on that licence. b. Licences do not permit actions prohibited under any other legislation, nor do they confer any right of entry upon land. You must obtain landowner and tenant permission as necessary.
Protected Sites
A licence is not permission from DEFA for an activity that could damage an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).
The notification documents for each ASSI contain a list of operation that could damage its special features and for
which prior permission from DEFA is required. Owners and occupiers of sites notified as ASSIs are required to give
written notice to DEFA before beginning any of these operations, or allowing someone else to carry out these
activities. A similar process applies for public bodies. https://www.gov.im/protectedsites
Biosecurity Users of this licence should consider the risks of activities to biosecurity and take relevant precautions.
Privacy Notice The DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team Privacy Notice - www.gov.im/ecosystemprivacynotice
Annex A – Recording and reporting requirements
Records
The licence holder must maintain a record, which shall be kept for at least 12 months beyond the expiry date of this
licence, of any surveys which result in disturbances whilst using this licence.
Date survey undertaken;
REDACTED
Ecosystem Policy Team, DEFA, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St. Johns, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS
Tel no. (01624) 651577
Email: ecopolicy@gov.im
www.gov.im
Location (site name/county); OS grid reference of surveyed site (6 figure minimum); Details on any disturbances. Records are to be made available to DEFA for inspection at any reasonable time.
Commercial confidentiality
If you encounter difficulties releasing data due to client confidentiality restrictions then you are advised to remind
your client that it is a condition of using this licence that survey information is reported. Furthermore, the licence
may only be used if this condition is met and withholding information may lead to a licence breach.
To help avoid such difficulties, it is recommended that your contractual terms and conditions make it clear that submitting records to DEFA is a legal requirement. If a client is not prepared to accept such terms and conditions then you may not use this licence without the prior permission of DEFA. Ecosystem Policy Team, DEFA, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St. Johns, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no. (01624) 651577 Email: ecopolicy@gov.im www.gov.im
Wildlife Act 1990 Personal Licence: Licence No. WLA/P017/25
In exercise of the powers conferred on the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture by Section 16 of the Wildlife Act 1990, the person detailed below is hereby licensed to carry out the activities listed below which would otherwise be prohibited by the Act and the Byelaws. Use of this licence is subject to the conditions specified below.
Licensed persons , Wardell Armstrong, 41-50 Futura Park, Aspinall Way, Middlebrook, Bolton, BL6 6SU
Licensed activities
For scientific and educational purposes:
To disturb Schedule 1 birds in the course of undertaking bird survey work for impact assessment of
the proposed Cair Vie onshore wind farm, to include vantage point surveys, collision risk monitoring
surveys, common bird census breeding bird surveys, and breeding long eared owl and bioacoustics
monitoring surveys.
Conditions
1. The licence holder must exercise the utmost care to avoid undue disturbance to Schedule 1 birds, and
other species of wild bird, during the breeding season, and in particular to avoid any action which
might endanger breeding success.
2. The welfare of the birds is primary in all considerations.
3. The licensee should follow the general surveying procedures contained in the “Personal Statement in
Support of Schedule 1 Licence Application”, though the survey routes and location of bioacoustics
detectors and/or other equipment have been slightly altered to take account of Schedule 1 bird nests
and may need to be altered again.
4. If Schedule 1 birds are found, the survey procedures, routes and equipment locations must be
reviewed in order to prevent disturbance. Any changes must be reported to the Ecosystem Policy
Team.
5. The licensee holder must move directly away from the area if an incident of disturbance occurs. Any
disturbances must be reported to the Ecosystem Policy Team as soon as possible after the event.
6. The licensee must regularly update the other survey teams regarding Schedule 1 bird findings, so
that they are able to modify their survey routes appropriately.
7. The appropriate behaviour of accompanying persons is a responsibility of the named licensee, who
must ensure suitable briefing and awareness regarding potential damage/disturbance.
8. A report on the use of this licence will be provided to DEFA by 31st January 2026. The licence
holder must comply with the reporting requirements specified in Annex A. No replacement license will
be issued until a report has been received for this license.
9. This licence is valid from 4th April 2025 to the 31st December 2025 and may be modified or revoked
at any time by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.
REDACTED
Ecosystem Policy Team, DEFA, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St. Johns, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS
Tel no. (01624) 651577
Email: ecopolicy@gov.im
www.gov.im
Signed ……………………………….
Date……7/4/25………………………………………. Dr Ken Milne Director of Environment Environment Directorate Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture
IMPORTANT
This licence authorises acts that would otherwise be offences under the Wildlife Act 1990. Failure to comply with its
terms and conditions:
i.
May be an offence against the Wildlife Act 1990 with penalties of up to £10,000.
ii.
May result in your permission to use this licence being withdrawn. DEFA will inform the licence holder if this
licence is withdrawn in writing. This sanction may be applied to other similar licences.
If the activity that you wish to undertake is not covered by this licence, or if you are unable to comply with any of
the terms and conditions which apply to the use of this licence, then you will need to apply to DEFA for an additional
licence.
INFORMATION AND ADVICE specific to this licence
Guidance for surveying
A. F. Brown & K. B. Shepherd (1993) A method for censusing upland breeding waders, Bird Study, 40:3, 189-195.
Barn Owl Trust (2012) Barn Owl Conservation Handbook, Pelagic Publishing, Exeter
Calladine, J., Garner, G., Wernham, C. & Thiel, A. (2009) The influence of survey frequency on population estimates
of moorland breeding birds. Bird Study, 56: 3, 381-388.
Gilbert G, Gibbons D. W. and Evans J. (1998) Bird Monitoring Methods. RSPB Sandy
Hardey, J., Crick, H., Wernham, C., Riley, H. & Thompson, D. (2013): Raptors: a field guide to survey and monitoring.
3rd Edition. The Stationery Office.
Shawyer, C. R. (2011). Barn Owl Tyto alba Survey Methodology and Techniques for use in Ecological Assessment:
Developing Best Practice in Survey and Reporting. IEEM, Winchester
Scottish Natural Heritage. Recommended bird survey methods to inform impact assessment of onshore wind farms
(March 2017).
The limits of licences a. Licences permit action only for the purposes specified on that licence. b. Licences do not permit actions prohibited under any other legislation, nor do they confer any right of entry upon land. You must obtain landowner and tenant permission as necessary.
Protected Sites
A licence is not permission from DEFA for an activity that could damage an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).
The notification documents for each ASSI contain a list of operation that could damage its special features and for
which prior permission from DEFA is required. Owners and occupiers of sites notified as ASSIs are required to give
written notice to DEFA before beginning any of these operations, or allowing someone else to carry out these
activities. A similar process applies for public bodies. https://www.gov.im/protectedsites
Biosecurity Users of this licence should consider the risks of activities to biosecurity and take relevant precautions.
Privacy Notice The DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team Privacy Notice - www.gov.im/ecosystemprivacynotice
Annex A – Recording and reporting requirements
Records
The licence holder must maintain a record, which shall be kept for at least 12 months beyond the expiry date of this
licence, of any surveys which result in disturbances whilst using this licence.
Date survey undertaken;
REDACTED
Ecosystem Policy Team, DEFA, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St. Johns, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS
Tel no. (01624) 651577
Email: ecopolicy@gov.im
www.gov.im
Location (site name/county); OS grid reference of surveyed site (6 figure minimum); Details on any disturbances. Records are to be made available to DEFA for inspection at any reasonable time.
Commercial confidentiality
If you encounter difficulties releasing data due to client confidentiality restrictions then you are advised to remind
your client that it is a condition of using this licence that survey information is reported. Furthermore, the licence
may only be used if this condition is met and withholding information may lead to a licence breach.
To help avoid such difficulties, it is recommended that your contractual terms and conditions make it clear that submitting records to DEFA is a legal requirement. If a client is not prepared to accept such terms and conditions then you may not use this licence without the prior permission of DEFA.
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.
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