Cair Vie Resistance calls out MUA and DEFA over unlawful activity at Earystane & Scard
Ecologists for Cair Vie Resistance confirmed that several ecological surveys carried out at the proposed Cair Vie wind power station site should not have proceeded without specific wildlife licences, despite claims by the Manx Utilities Authority (MUA) and Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) that all work was lawful.
While we agree that consultants are expected to understand licensing obligations, we believe DEFA’s attempt to distance itself from enforcement is troubling. The Wildlife Act 1990 places clear limits on activities that could disturb protected species, and it is incumbent on both the applicant and the sponsoring Department to ensure the law is followed.
Hen Harrier Nesting Disturbance Reported to Police and DEFA
A Wardell Armstrong entomologist was reported in 2024 after likely causing disturbance to a nesting pair of Hen Harriers, a Schedule 1 protected species. This incident occurred during an invertebrate survey – an activity which should have been licensed due to the known presence of ground-nesting birds in the area.
Wardell Armstrong acknowledge in their Technical Report issued March 2025
“During the surveys undertaken in 2024, we have a gap in the data during the months of June and July for the heathland transect within the north of the Turbine site and within June for the Grassland and plantation areas within the Turbine site. This is due to identifying hen harriers attempting to nest within the Turbine site and therefore, the bat survey was not undertaken to avoid any impact to this species.”
Along with bat, lizard and amphibian surveys, Cair Vie Resistance raise concerns about the deployment of the SODAR acoustic wind monitoring device, which was moved into position using a vehicle across open moorland and emitted acoustic pulses close to known breeding sites of Longeared Owl and Hen Harrier. Again, no licence appears to have been in place, despite the clear potential for disturbance.
The Hen Harrier is a species for which the Isle of Man has a very special international responsibility towards its conservation, the ‘Isle of Man hills’ are recognised by the RSPB and Birdlife International as being an Important Bird & Biodiversity Area of global significance and are one of the most important breeding and overwintering sites in all of Britain and Ireland.
After an enquiry from Cair Vie resistance, local wildlife organisation Manx Wildlife Trust, who have not been involved in the survey work, confirmed that their staff hold numerous Schedule 1, 5 and 7 licences covering birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, invertebrates and plants and they are “of the opinion that the holding of such licences are a basic requirement to conducting any ecological survey where there is potential to cause any disturbance, whether this is intentional, incidental or accidental.”
The full letter from MWT is attached for reference. Click HERE
“DEFA’s statement appears designed to deflect responsibility, but it does nothing to address the core question: why were licences not obtained for activities that are likely to have disturbed protected species?” said Kirrie Jenkins, spokesperson for Cair Vie Resistance. “We will not allow the destruction of our uplands to be waived through under a cloak of pretence and denial and call for an immediate investigation. “
Contact:
Cair Vie Resistance
info@cairvie.im
www.cairvie.im
