'Huge wind farm would be devastating for the island'

Thousands of people are opposing plans for a major wind farm off the Isle of Man's coast, claiming it will have a "devastating" effect on the island's natural beauty.

The proposals by Danish energy giant Orsted could see 87 turbines built six to 12 miles (11.1km to 22.2km) off the eastern coast from Maughold.

Georgina O'Sullivan is one of the founders of opposition group Not 4 IOM, which launched a petition against the Mooir Vannin project, amassing more than 4,000 signatures.

She said the scheme primarily benefited the UK, leaving the island to suffer the visual, environmental, and cultural effects.

Orsted said the project would power the island as well as the UK and would deliver a £2bn boost to the economy over 35 years.

However, residents are concerned about threats to tourism, fishing, wildlife, the island's Unesco-recognised biosphere status, and altered coastal views.

O'Sullivan said the scale of the project was "unbelievable", with 350 metre-high (1,148 foot) turbines set to span 81 square miles (209 sq km).

"You'll see them from Ramsey to Onchan," she said.

Local commissioners have also lodged their opposition to the plans following public meetings.

Garff commissioner Richard Henthorn said: "It was quite clear from those who attended the meeting that they weren't in support of proposals for a number of reasons."

He said concerns extended beyond aesthetics to wider environmental and marine effects and questioned how much the island would gain.

"It's basically a UK line that goes to the UK and then we could possibly buy back electricity," he said.

Julie Pinson, who runs a cafe by Laxey beach, said the island's coastline and beaches were "fundamental" to residents' wellbeing, as well as tourism appeal, and the project could "damage the island's identity".

Garff commissioner Marinda Faragher raised concerns about the process and planning.

She said the local authority was brought in too late to properly represent residents' views.

The project is in the early stages of a six-month independent examination process, after being accepted by the Manx government last year.

A final recommendation will be made to ministers, who will decide whether the plans go ahead.

Orsted said the farm could generate around 1.4 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power about a million homes.

Development project director Jamie Baldwin accepted the "majority" of the power generated by the farm would go into the UK market but said "around six to 8% of the generation" would power the island as well.

"The project in itself will also deliver around approximately £2bn to the economy, to the Treasury over 35 years," he said.

It would also give the island and parts of the UK strengthened energy security.

"We are at the behest still, to some extent, around oil prices and gas prices," he said, adding it "gives us more self-sufficiency".

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.