Garff Commissioners to hold public meeting about Orsted windfarm 

The local authority wants to hear what residents think about the proposal

Garff Commissioners is holding a public meeting in August to find out what resident’s views are on the Orsted Mooir Vannin offshore windfarm.

The local authority says it will not be presenting its own view but wants to hear the opinions shared before it votes on the matter.

The commissioners will be holding the meeting at the Laxey Working Men’s Institute at 7pm on Tuesday 26 August.

Captain Stephen Carter, the captain of the Parish of Lonan will chair the meeting and it’s ‘anticipated’ that the two Garff MHK's and others will be in attendance.

The local authority says the meeting is being held ‘specifically’ to gather public opinion on Orsted’s proposal, which could have around 90 wind turbines positioned 6 to 12 nautical miles off the Island’s east coast, extending from ‘approximately’ Maughold Head to Douglas Bay.

Ørsted’s latest consultation report from March 2025 shows that the turbines could reach up to 350 metres in height, with maximum blade lengths of 148 metres.

The local authority says all are welcome to attend and contribute to the discussion but it would like to hear about what the ‘potential visual and environmental impacts’ may have on residents in Garff.

It hopes feedback from the meeting will help inform and assist them in their discussions with Ørsted and the government when the final proposals for the scheme are being considered.

The commissioners add that there will be a wide range of views on the proposals and would welcome comment from all ‘spectrums of opinion’ at the meeting.

The board also agreed not to hold a vote on the project until it has ‘fully canvassed’ public opinion and seen the final plans.

A meeting was requested with the chief minister, departmental members and senior political staff, but was declined

However, the commissioners says Mr Cannan did advise that the planning application would be submitted to the Department of Infrastructure and it’s ‘likely’ that it would be referred to the Council of Ministers.

Once accepted by CoMin, those who express an interest will be asked to register as interested parties.

The local authority says the chief minister stressed there will be a ‘full and open’ public consultation once the process has begun and an examining body will be set up by CoMin to conduct an investigation and examination of the proposals.

This body will then make its recommendation to CoMin, which will make the final decision on the matter.

The local authority says it will accept written comments ahead of the meeting.