Onchan Commissioners organise drop-in session about offshore windfarm

Members of the No Offshore Turbines 4 IOM will be in attendance 

Onchan Commissioners has organised a drop-in session for residents to learn about the Mooir Vannin offshore windfarm application.

Its being held at The Hub on 23 June and will run from 3.30pm until 6pm.

The local authority says representatives from No Offshore Turbines for Isle of Man will be in attendance to answer questions and discuss the application.

It adds that Orsted was invited to the drop-in session but has not responded to the request.

Orsted has now confirmed it did respond to the invitation. 

The company says it was informed about the event on Friday (19 June) and subsequently invited to attend ‘in a separate room’. 

This was so any attendees could discuss the application with representatives. 

In a statement it adds: “We have politely declined that invitation because it would not be appropriate in light of the ongoing, independent, public examination of the consent application under the Isle of Man’s Marine Infrastructure Management Act 2016.

“We are not aware of any similar nationally significant infrastructure projects in the UK holding separate drop-in events whilst the public examination of the application is ongoing. 

“In essence the six-month examination – which is run by Cabinet Office – is the current public consultation process now the application is under consideration.

“It’s important to note that we have engaged extensively with the public and all key stakeholders for the past three years. 

“Five community information events were held across the Island in 2023, followed by a public consultation in 2024, with five more public events held across the Island. 

“A wealth of information has been made available via our orsted.im website throughout this period, and information booklets have been sent to all homes on the Island with information on how to participate in the process.

“Isle of Man Government held four pre-examination public events last autumn and since the examination process began in March this year there has been a series of public meetings and specific issue hearings which interested parties have been able to participate in alongside the written process. 

“Throughout the examination process we have responded in detail to comments made by interested parties.” 

The next round of hearings with the examining panel will take place in July and people wishing to speak must register by 7 July.