Decision Notice

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1999 The Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019

In pursuance of powers granted under the above Act and Order the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture determined to APPROVE an application by Mr & Mrs Mark and Lynette Byrne, Ref 25/90754/B, for the Erection of 60 ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels at Loughen E Yeigh Farm Bayr Ny Hayrey Lezayre Ramsey Isle Of Man IM7 2AU .

Any conditions or notes which apply to the approval are set out below. This approval is subject to compliance with any conditions listed and may not be implemented until it becomes final (see guidance notes).

• 1. The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.

Reason: To comply with Article 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.

• 2. The development shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the following approved documents and plans:

• i. Drawing No. CA-3138-110 Rev A - Proposed Solar Array, prepared by Cornerstone Architects, dated May 2024 and revised 14 July 2025;
• ii. Cover Letter by Cornerstone Architects, dated 4 August 2025, which includes the system's technical performance specifications (24.35 MWh/year output; 4.71 tCO"² annual savings);
• iii. Solar PV Feasibility Report - Loughen Y Yeigh Farm, prepared by March Consultants Ltd, Rev P01, dated July 2025;
• iv. Email from the agent dated 28 October 2025 confirming the proposed battery capacity range (20-40 kWh) and intention to export surplus energy to the grid subject to agreement with Manx Utilities.

Reason: To ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans and supporting documentation, and to provide certainty regarding the scale, technical configuration, and environmental performance of the installation.

• 3. In the event that the development ceases to operate for a continuous period exceeding 18 months, all solar panels, support structures, and associated infrastructure shall be permanently removed from the site within 21 months of their last use, and the land shall be restored to a condition suitable for agricultural use.

A restoration plan, including detailed implementation steps and timescale, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department within one month of the end of the 18-month period of non-operation. The approved restoration plan shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: The structures have been approved exceptionally to meet a sustainable energy need. Their retention beyond operational use would result in an unwarranted intrusion into the countryside, contrary to General Policy 3 and Environment Policy 1 of the Strategic Plan.

• 4. No external lighting shall be installed unless in accordance with a detailed lighting scheme which has first been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The scheme shall demonstrate compliance with the recommendations of the Bat Conservation Trust and Institute of Lighting Professionals Guidance Note 8 (Bats and Artificial Lighting). The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme, and no external lighting shall be installed other than in accordance with the approved details. Reason: To avoid adverse impacts on bats and other nocturnal wildlife (EP4, EP5).
• 5. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the submitted design, which retains the existing grassed surface and avoids continuous foundations and no additional hardstanding or engineered drainage infrastructure shall be introduced.

Reason: To ensure that the development does not increase flood risk or adversely affect surface water drainage, in accordance with Environment Policy 13 and General Policy 2(l) of the Strategic Plan.

• 6. Prior to the commencement of development, details of the proposed battery storage system shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The submitted details shall include:

• i. Manufacturer and model specifications, including total capacity, configuration (DC/AC), and warranty terms; and
• ii. The proposed location of the battery units, shown on a site plan with dimensions and enclosure details (if external).

The battery system shall be installed in accordance with the approved details and retained thereafter for the lifetime of the solar PV installation.

Reason: To ensure the battery storage system is provided as an integral component of the approved solar PV installation, enabling effective energy storage and supporting the carbon reduction benefits claimed, in accordance with Strategic Policy 2(e), Energy Policy 4, and General Policy 2(b, c and g).

This approval relates to the following submitted documents and drawings:

• o Cover Letter by Cornerstone Architects, dated 4 August 2025
• o Drawing No. CA-3138-110 Rev A - Proposed Solar Array
• o Drawing No. B414-01-LS-01 - Topographical Survey Plan
• o Solar PV Feasibility Report - Loughen E Yeigh Farm, prepared by March Consultants Ltd, Rev P01, dated July 2025

• o Email from the agent dated 28 October 2025 confirming the proposed battery capacity range (20-40 kWh) and intention to export surplus energy to the grid subject to agreement with Manx Utilities

This decision has been made for the following reasons(s) The proposal represents a technical departure from General Policy 3 due to its countryside location. However, it is justified by an overriding national need for renewable energy, supported by Energy Policy 4 and the wider national climate change framework. The development is modest, reversible, and well-contained, resulting in only minor and localised landscape impact, consistent with Environment Policy 2 and Strategic Policy 4. It avoids harm to biodiversity (EP4, EP5), flood risk (EP13), and high-quality agricultural land (EP14), and retains the site's permeability and rural character (EP1). The system will generate 24.35 MWh/year, offsetting 4.71 tCO"², and is proportionate to the energy demand of the associated dwelling. On balance, the proposal achieves a sustainable outcome that aligns with the Strategic Plan's environmental objectives while contributing meaningfully to the Island's transition to low-carbon energy.

Date of Issue: 18th November 2025

A MORGAN Interim Director of Planning and Building Control

Guidance Note

This decision was made by the Planning Committee in accordance with the authority delegated to it.

This decision refers only to that applied for under the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 and its subordinate legislation.

A copy of the Officer’s report and any correspondence which informed the assessment and decision is available to view on the Government’s website (via https://pbc.gov.im/onlineapplications/)

Implementation A determination to grant planning approval does not have effect —

•  if an appeal is submitted until the appeal is determined or withdrawn; or
•  if no appeal is submitted, but there are potential appellants in addition to the applicant, until the time within which an appeal may be submitted has expired (21 days from the date of this notice).

Development must be carried out in accordance with the approved plans and any attached conditions (irrespective of any changes that may separately be requested at the Building Control stage or by any other Statutory Authority). This approval does not remove the need to also comply with any other relevant legislation.

Any conditions requiring certain works, submissions etc. prior to commencement of development must be fulfilled prior to work starting on site. Failure to adhere to this approval and meet the requirements of all conditions may invalidate this approval or result in formal enforcement action.

Appeal Any appeal can only be made by a person who has been accorded rights to do so, must be in writing, include the appropriate fee and be submitted to the Department within 21 days of the date of this Notice.

Guidance on how to appeal is available at gov.im/howtoappeal