Dumping of sediment on heathland at Cross Vein Mine

Summary

The requester asked for the specific location of heathland maps on the Isle of Man Government website after finding Manx Utilities' general reference unhelpful. The authority responded that the information was already reasonably accessible and provided direct links and instructions to view the maps, citing Section 20 of the Act.

Key Facts

• The request was made to the Manx Utilities Authority regarding maps of sensitive habitats.
• The authority refused to provide the information directly because it is already reasonably accessible to the public.
• The response provided a direct link to an ArcGIS web application for viewing the maps.
• The response also provided a navigation path through the gov.im website to the 'Island environment' map.
• The requester was instructed to select the 'Registered Heathland' layer to view the specific data.

Data Disclosed

• 5031698
• 2025-10-24
• 2025-10-28
• 28/10/2025
• section 20
• 74e6bd8c85534835b80dea94a4180a11

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information already reasonably accessible)

Original Request

On this webpage published by you - https://tinyurl.com/mp9wana9 https://manxutilities.im/energy-transition/onshore-wind/onshore-wind-faqs/will-the-windfarm-be-developed-on-heathland/ you state (inter alia) that - "Heath refers to a type of open, uncultivated land with low-growing vegetation, often dominated by shrubs such as heather and gorse. Heathland specifically refers to a type of heath that is characterised by acidic soils and a unique assemblage of plant and animal species. Maps of all sensitive habitats within the uplands, including heathland, are available on the Isle of Man Government website." Given that that the Isle of Man Government website contains information relating to all Government Departments and agencies, your suggestion that "maps are available on the Isle of Man Government website" isn't helpful; unless, of course you expect readers of your publication to search the whole of the Government website to find the maps referred to. Please point me in the direction of where "on the Isle of Man Government website" I might find the maps of all sensitive habitats within the uplands, including heathland, that you refer to.

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: 5031698 28 October 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 24 October 2025, which states:

"On this webpage published by you -

https://tinyurl.com/mp9wana9

https://manxutilities.im/energy-transition/onshore-wind/onshore-wind-faqs/will-the- windfarm-be-developed-on-heathland/

you state (inter alia) that -

"Heath refers to a type of open, uncultivated land with low-growing vegetation, often dominated by shrubs such as heather and gorse. Heathland specifically refers to a type of heath that is characterised by acidic soils and a unique assemblage of plant and animal species.

Maps of all sensitive habitats within the uplands, including heathland, are available on the Isle of Man Government website."

Given that that the Isle of Man Government website contains information relating to all Government Departments and agencies, your suggestion that "maps are available on the Isle of Man Government website" isn't helpful; unless, of course you expect readers of your publication to search the whole of the Government website to find the maps referred to.

Please point me in the direction of where "on the Isle of Man Government website" I might find the maps of all sensitive habitats within the uplands, including heathland, that you refer to."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. The information that you have requested is available as at 28/10/2025 found here:

https://manngis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=74e6bd8c855348 35b80dea94a4180a11. or

www.gov.im/about-the-government > Departments > Environment, Food and Agriculture >Environment Directorate >Ecosystem Policy Team > Wildlife, Biodiversity and Protected Sites > Protected Sites > ‘Island environment’ link contained within this web page.

From here select in the ‘Layer List’ in the top right options. Select layers and ‘Turn all layers off’. Scroll down the layer list to ‘Registered Heathland’ and tick the box. This will now display the Heathland when zoomed in on the map. This will result in a similar image to below.

Please quote the reference number 5031698 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.