Why haven’t we been consulted earlier?

Before carrying out survey work it was necessary to speak to local residents for access purposes at each site.

The surveys provided the information we needed to begin the consultation process and it also assisted in deciding the Earystane site would be taken forward to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) stage. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) includes significant survey work from detailed studies in 12 key areas:

• Ecological and biodiversity
• Geotechnical
• Aviation studies
• Transport and super-load studies
• Noise
• Energy yield and climate
• Landscape and visual impact
• Water
• Social impact
• Air quality
• Heritage and archaeology
• Planning

From the start of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), we will be going through a consultation process with the residents and members of the community surrounding the site and the wider Isle of Man community. This will allow us to provide feedback on the outcomes of these studies but also allows residents and the wider Isle of Man community to actively participate in the decisions relating to the design. The consultation process began in the autumn of 2023 and will carry on throughout the 1.5 – 2 year Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

This will enable local residents and the wider community to find out more about the project and to actively participate in the design to ensure impacts are mitigated as far as reasonably practicable. Public engagement sessions will also be provided, these sessions will be open to all residents of the Isle of Man allowing all residents to engage fully in the consultation process and submit their views. Initial public engagement sessions have been held in Peel, Ramsey, Douglas and Port Erin.

We are now entering Stakeholder engagement and will hold open public sessions where we welcome any comments or feedback about the design or design process. This information will be used to formulate and support the planning application.