Ultimatum from wind farm company boss

The boss of a renewable energy company is demanding every MHK supports his company in writing – or else he’ll quit the Island.

Keith Brooks of Prowind UK Ltd, which had planned wind turbines in Jurby, also says he wants the taxpayer to cough up £120,000 towards his investment costs.

Manx Radio’s seen an email sent to every member of the House of Keys in which Mr Brooks claims his firm is being made into a political scapegoat and has had its reputation damaged by ministers.

And he says unless his conditions are met, he’ll leave the Island today and take his plans with him.

Mr Brooks email was sent in the early hours of yesterday morning and says there’s been a lack of inter-ministerial communication for which he feels he’s been wrongly blamed.

He says as the application for a factory and renewable energy plant in Jurby hasn’t been welcomed, he’s now going to seek alternative sites in the UK, in particular near the company’s headquarters in Lincolnshire.

Mr Brooks says unless he receives written support from every MHK for a solar park in Jurby – and a formal agreement on timescales for planning applications – by the end of next month, the project is effectively over.

And he finishes by saying he believes when he gets on the ferry today, the hopes of the business will leave with him.