Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture

Overview

Outcome Breakdown

Requests by Year

Top Topics

• Environment & Agriculture (143 requests)
• Transport & Roads (105 requests)
• Planning & Housing (91 requests)
• Government & Administration (20 requests)
• Healthcare & Public Health (19 requests)

Notable Cases (149)

[+] Climate change transformation board

2026-02-17 | All information sent

The request sought membership details, meeting records, remuneration, and terms of reference for the Climate Change Transformation Board. The authority disclosed the full membership list, appointment dates, person specifications for advisors, and the revised terms of reference, though the provided text does not explicitly contain meeting attendance records or remuneration details.

• The Board is chaired by Hon Clare Barber, Minister DEFA, appointed in October 2024.
• The Board oversees the delivery of the Climate Change Plan 2022-2027 and manages the Climate Change Fund.
• A Low Carbon Buildings Specialist advisor is required to have over 10 years of background in the construction sector.

Data: October 2024, January 2026, October 2021, August 2025, 2022-2027

[-] Delegation of planning functions to a Planning Committee.

2026-02-17 | Some information sent but part exempt

The requester asked for hyperlinks to all DEFA Minister delegations of planning functions under the Government Departments Act 1987 since February 2020, specifically regarding the Planning Committee. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture provided some information but withheld specific details citing an absolute exemption for personal data.

• The request was received on 17 February 2026 and responded to on 5 March 2026.
• The authority responding is the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA).
• The outcome was classified as 'Some information sent but part exempt'.

Data: 5308389, 1st February 2020, 17 February 2026, 5 March 2026, 9th December 2026

Exemptions: Section 25 – Absolutely exempt personal information; Data Protection (Application of GDPR) Order 2018; Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation; Article 6 of the General Data Protection Regulation

[~] Earystane Forest

2026-02-16 | Information not held

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.

• 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.

Data: 5313073, 2026-02-16, 2026-03-11, 1996, s.3

[-] Copy of internal DEFA emails sent externally

2026-02-10 | Some information sent but part exempt

The requester sought internal DEFA emails and external correspondence related to a planning appeal involving Dandara Homes Limited. The authority disclosed some external correspondence but withheld specific information citing exemptions for personal data and legal professional privilege, while stating it did not hold records regarding the release of the specific internal emails.

• The request was received on 2026-02-10 and the outcome was issued on 2026-03-09.
• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture stated it does not hold information regarding correspondence about the release of documents for claim CHP25/0136.
• Some requested correspondence was provided in Appendix A, but parts were redacted.

Data: 2026-02-10, 2026-03-09, CHP25/0136, DAN8/1, 06 August 2025

Exemptions: Section 25 – Absolutely exempt personal information; Section 40 – Legal professional privilege

[~] Patrick Commoners' Allotment Management & Restrictions

2026-02-09 | Some information sent but not all held

A request was made for legal title deeds, byelaw documentation, and environmental surveys regarding the Patrick Commoners' Allotment and motorcycle restrictions. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture responded that some information was sent, but not all requested data is held by the department.

• The request concerns the Patrick Commoners' Allotment defined by the Disafforesting (Commoners) Allotment Act 1866.
• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) confirmed it does not hold all the requested information.
• The request sought legal advice from the Attorney General's Chambers between 2018 and 2024 regarding land ownership.

Data: 2026-02-09, 2026-02-25, 1866, 2018, 2024

[+] Interventions by Environmental Protection Unit for waste disposal

2026-02-05 | All information sent

The request sought confirmation of Environmental Protection Unit interventions regarding high-volume waste disposal risks and associated costs over the last 12-18 months. The Department confirmed two interventions involving commercial companies, violations of the Public Health Act 1990, and that while no direct taxpayer costs were incurred for waste removal, officer time was utilized.

• The Environmental Protection Unit intervened on two occasions with commercial companies posing environmental risks due to high-volume waste gathering.
• Part IV of The Public Health Act 1990 regarding Refuse Disposal was violated by the businesses involved.
• A Supervision of Licensed Activities Notice was served on one company requiring waste removal within six months, which remains non-compliant.

Data: 2 occasions, 12-18 months, 6 months, 3 to 12 months, 04 March 2026

[-] Castletown Golf Links Hotel

2026-02-04 | Some information sent but part exempt

The request sought correspondence regarding the Castletown Golf Links Hotel demolition between DEFA and Langness Golf Course Limited from 2022 to 2026. The authority released partial information, including a detailed email from February 2026 outlining environmental precautions for bats, runoff management, and sewage investigations, while redacting specific sections.

• Demolition of the Castletown Golf Links Hotel is planned for early 2026.
• DEFA advised that the timing is suboptimal for bats due to hibernation potential in the cold building.
• Specific protocols were provided for handling bats found during soft demolition, including emergency contact numbers.

Data: 02 February 2026, 15 January 2026, 1st January 2022, 31st January 2026, 651577

[-] Reports

2026-01-30 | No information sent - all held but exempt

The requester asked for all DEFA commissioned reports on Isle of Man Meats since 2022, but the Department withheld the information citing an exemption for material intended for future publication.

• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture holds the requested reports but refused to disclose them.
• The information is exempt under Section 41 as it is held with a view to future publication.
• The Department plans to publish the reports on its website by 01 June 2026.

Data: 2022, 2026-01-30, 2026-02-25, 01 June 2026, 5266617

Exemptions: Section 41: Information for further publication

[~] Costs of engaging the off-Island Planning Consultant re silt PAs

2026-01-29 | Some information sent but not all held

A request was made to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture for detailed costs and justification regarding the engagement of off-Island Planning Consultant Mr Andrew Sierakowski for three specific silt management planning applications. The authority responded with a partial disclosure, stating that some information was sent but not all was held, though the provided text cuts off before detailing the specific costs or reasons for withholding data.

• The request concerns costs for off-Island Planning Consultant Mr Andrew Sierakowski.
• Three specific planning applications were cited: 25/90698/B, 22/00287/B, and 24/00301/B.
• The projects involve silt transport from Peel Power Station, restoration of Rockmount German silt store, and a temporary lagoon facility near Peel Marina.

Data: 25/90698/B, 22/00287/B, 24/00301/B, 2026-01-29, 2026-02-25

[~] Carbon Literacy Training

2025-11-26 | Some information sent but not all held

A request sought the specific benefits and efficiency impacts of £50,450.38 spent on Carbon Literacy training, but the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture clarified the actual cost was £42,350.38 and refused to provide interpretative opinions on the training's value, instead directing the requester to a project review document.

• The Department corrected the requested expenditure figure from £50,450.38 to £42,350.38.
• Information regarding the specific benefits and efficiency impacts was withheld as it constitutes opinion rather than recorded information.
• A link to the 'Review of Carbon Literacy Project for the Isle of Man Public Service' was provided as an alternative source of information.

Data: £50,450.38, £42,350.38, £730, £10 per head, 507 staff

Exemptions: Information not held (request seeks interpretation or opinion rather than recorded information)

[-] Agri-Environmental Budget

2025-11-26 | No information sent - all held but exempt

The requester asked for Agri-Environment Annual Payment Reports for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to investigate rumors of budget reallocation to a meat plant. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture withheld the reports under Section 41 as they are held for future publication, but confirmed the budget was not reallocated.

• The Agri-Environmental Scheme budget has not been reallocated to Isle of Man Meats.
• The requested payment reports for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 are exempt from disclosure.
• The exemption is based on Section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (information for future publication).

Data: 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 26 November 2025

Exemptions: Section 41 – Information for future publication

[-] Information regarding external services for animal culling

2025-11-25 | Some information sent but part exempt

The request sought details on external contracts for animal culling and consultancy services by the Isle of Man's DEFA between November 2023 and November 2025. The authority confirmed engagements with off-island bodies and local pest control companies but withheld specific names, costs, and procurement details for certain activities.

• DEFA engaged individuals and companies to cull or shoot animals on behalf of the Government.
• DEFA contacted an off-island organised body to advise on culling or shooting animals.
• Discussions were held with DEFRA regarding wallaby and feral goat populations.

Data: November 2023 - November 2025, 25 November 2025, 18 December, 08 January 2026, 5117822

[-] Fishing boat PL 777 Boy Shayne

2025-11-14 | Some information sent but part exempt

The request sought details on government grants for the fishing boat Boy Shayne, including purchase price contributions and date. The authority confirmed a 40% grant was provided under a 2003 scheme but withheld the owner's contribution due to personal data exemptions and stated the specific purchase date is not recorded.

• The Boy Shayne received a government grant under the Fishing Vessels (Financial Assistance) Scheme 2003.
• The grant covered 40% of the vessel's purchase price.
• The specific amount contributed by the owner was withheld as personal information.

Data: 40%, September 2011, 2003, PL 777, 5086457

Exemptions: Section 25(b)(i)&(ii) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Personal Information); Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation (Data Protection Principles); Article 6 of the General Data Protection Regulation (Lawful Processing Conditions)

[-] Longest planning permission pending

2025-11-12 | Some information sent but part exempt

The request sought details on the longest pending planning application, including its duration, reference number, and reasons for delay. The authority disclosed the reference number and reason for the delay but directed the requester to an online portal to determine the specific duration, citing that this information is already reasonably accessible.

• The longest pending planning application reference number is 15/00889/B.
• The application remains undetermined because additional technical information was requested to address concerns raised by the Highway Division.
• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture now considers the matters can be managed through a planning condition attached to an approval.

Data: 15/00889/B, 5078437, 2025-11-12, 2025-11-27, 01/01/2000

Exemptions: Section 20 - Information accessible to applicant by other means

[-] Reayrt Vradda

2025-11-06 | No information sent - all held but exempt

The requester sought documentation regarding the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture's alleged failure to enforce planning conditions at the Reayrt Vradda glamping site concerning permanent residence. The authority withheld all requested information, citing an ongoing investigation that could lead to criminal proceedings.

• The request concerns a breach of planning conditions at Reayrt Vradda where permanent residence was allegedly allowed despite a 28-day limit.
• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed the information is held but exempt.
• The exemption is based on Section 31 of the Act regarding investigations that may lead to criminal proceedings.

Data: 5064973, 2025-11-06, 2025-11-21, 28 days, 12 months

Exemptions: Section 31 – Investigations and Legal Proceedings

Most Cited Exemptions

See Also

• Transparency Scorecard
• Outcome Trends