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Despite strong local opposition, a company controlled by Mr John Whittaker continues to press for planning permission to erect three 45-foot wind turbines on the Mull Peninsula, an area of exceptional natural beauty on the left-hand headland of Port Erin Bay.

It would be located on land owned by Ballaman, a mansion originally built by Nigel Mansell, which has since been expanded with such a cluster of buildings it now resembles a hamlet rather than a house.

This too is a matter of considerable local concern.

The first planning application (14/00632/B) for wind turbines was submitted in June 2014. A slightly amended one followed in September 2016.

These attracted almost 100 formal objections, fewer than for Douglas Promenade schemes, but a large number by normal standards.

A third version has now been published.

It addresses none of the major issues highlighted by objectors – damage to landscape character and visual impact, potential damage to the local economy, adverse cultural impact (close to Bronze Age Mull Circle), safety regarding helicopter movements in low lying cloud over the area, and possible interference with the new Ronaldsway Airport radar system. Instead the application now proposes a geographic repositioning of the wind turbines to supposedly mitigate the threat to wildlife, and in particular the red-billed chough.

The carefully positioned photograph in the newspaper last week gave a very misleading impression of the impact.

Preservation of bird life is a consideration, of course, but it is being used as a red herring in this case.

It is disappointing that, almost three years after the original application, the applicant has failed to address the very real level of concerns raised by so many parties in 2014 and 2016. This shows a callous disregard for local people who care so much about protecting the unspoiled beauty, culture and heritage of our island

The particular nightmare for those living in Port Erin is the potential for the Mull Peninsula in years to come being covered by a multitude of wind turbines – a real possibility if a door is opened to the first three since Mr Whittaker has been/is a leading player in the wind turbine business.

I have no objection to wind turbines in the right place

The Mull Peninsula is definitely not one of them!

Erection of wind turbines in areas of exceptional natural beauty is inconsistent with retaining the island’s biosphere status, an award of great importance.

Aircraft safety is another issue which, after three years, still appears unresolved, despite an independent report which concluded that the wind turbines would be visible to the new Selex ATCR 33 radar, which could lead to unwanted radar returns being displayed to the controller.

Then there is fog.

Everyone in Port Erin, especially those living on Surby and Bradda know that on some days, Ballaman and the helicopter landing area is completely obscured by a dense blanket of fog.

Please Mr Whittaker, respond to the strong views of your local community by withdrawing this application and ceasing to further expand the footprint of the Ballaman hamlet.

Deadline for objections is March 17 email [email protected], quote PA No. 14/00632/B

Hugh Davidson MBE,

Port Erin.

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I know only too well that there is no value in being a prophet of doom.

Cassandra perished when Troy fell.

Nevertheless, I wonder if I am the only one who fears a major financial meltdown here in the Isle of Man?

We have a government which refuses to accept that its past profligate ways must end and seems unable to adjust to the changing world in which it must exist.

They continue to spend and spend and now say that the community must alter in order to meet government’s demands.

The last budget demonstrates just how deep the hole they have dug for themselves is.

They need to draw down £80M from reserves in order to meet the proposed annual expenditures.

If that were not bad enough they also admit that the public pension scheme reserves will be exhausted by 2021

Alarming and imminent as this fact alone is, there is apparently no plan to deal with this.

(By deal with this I do not mean window dressing in order to appear to be taking action and kicking the problem down the road.)

These are surely the familiar characteristics of an economy heading to a very bad place ?

I for one am very unwilling to support an economy with my taxes if they are to be used to pay public sector pensions which in many cases I believe to be excessive, not really deserved and the result of weak and foolish government decisions.

In my opinion this economy appears to be heading for a car crash.

Before that happens the people of this island would do well to remind themselves that ultimately the English crown is responsible for the good government of the Isle of Man.

The independence of the Isle of Man may be at risk due to its own foolishness.

Talking up prospects unrealistically will not solve this.

Nor will reliance on serendipity.

John R Orme,

Ballabeg.

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Brian Kerwin seems to be on a mission against a woman’s right to choose.

In his first letter ‘Foetus is part of God’s Programme’ he clumsily attempts to speak on behalf of a foetus conveying its thoughts and feelings.

In his latest letter ‘Abortion Effect on Birth Rate’ he’s blaming women who have had abortions for what he describes as the ‘catastrophic’ fall in birth rate on the Isle of Man.

Perhaps he should research the unsustainable effect of rapid population growth worldwide on our earth’s finite resources.

Instead of blundering into issues he doesn’t understand he should be on his knees praying for the souls of the 800 babies and toddlers recently discovered in unmarked graves (ie tossed into disused septic tanks) at a Catholic Mother and Babies’ home in Tuam, Republic of Ireland.

After giving birth to these ‘illegitimate’ babies their mothers were forced to leave them behind, not knowing what their fate would be.

This particular home operated for 30 years, only closing in 1956 and forensic tests are showing that a large percentage of these deaths occurred in the 1950s.

There have been similar discoveries at other Catholic Mother and Baby Homes and religious zealots should have no say whatsoever in the abortion issue.

Name and address supplied

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A wonderful weekend was to be had on the Isle of Man in respect of the arts.

But it was just so tough to choose between the many opportunities on offer!

On Saturday night my friend and I were torn as to whether to attend the Symphony Orchestra, Braaid Eisteddfod or Ceri Dupree (no doubt others too).

In the end we opted to head to Peel’s Centenary Centre where Adam Wakeman and Damian Wilson delivered an utterly knock-out gig; one for which we readily gave a standing ovation.

Ably supported by super locals, the Jeff Jepson Band, Wakeman and Wilson certainly gave value for money and didn’t seem in a hurry to leave the stage with their impressive acoustic set of mostly original material, incorporating piano, guitar and vocals. This was all delivered along with entertaining recollections and natural wit.

It was brilliant to see former resident Adam back on the island, where some of the audience was even made up of his old classmates from QEII!

Luckily the Symphony Orchestra repeated their concert on Sunday afternoon and we were able to get to that as well.

I enjoy West End shows, but have been to huge arenas in the UK and have often come away disappointed due to spending the majority of the time watching the show on a giant screen.

It is here on the Isle of Man that I have seen my very favourite performances.

Classic Rock or Aled Jones?

Simple Minds or Halle Orchestra?

The Producers or Dad’s Army?

Barbara Dickson or Thriller in the Villa?

There is surely something to please everybody.

Not only are there visiting acts, but of course a massive amount of home-grown talent too.

This year alone we are expecting at least four top UK comedians to take to Manx stages and that is before we consider the fantastic live streaming on screens available at various venues.

I feel that we, as an island, should give ourselves a huge pat on the back for the many amazing possibilities to see such high quality acts.

We don’t need to get ‘off the rock’, as we already ‘rock’ ourselves!

Zoe Cannell.

Ballabrooie Way.

Douglas/

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In our letter published on September 29, 2016, under your heading ‘Do Not Repeat Transfer Mistake’, we expressed concern that any new contract for the transfer of patients travelling from the Isle of Man to receive hospital treatment in North West England should only be awarded after satisfying a quality threshold, and at a realistic tender price, rather than being awarded to a bidder submitting an unsustainable cheap bid.

Bridgewater Taxis, who are experienced in providing an excellent caring and reliable service, now find that their tender has proved unsuccessful.

Tenderers were required to submit fixed price bids for the contract, even though the amount of work is indeterminate, with different numbers of patients travelling each day, via several ports and airports, to and from different hospitals.

This is not an appropriate form of contract, nor an effective way of obtaining a quality service.

A new provider may have risked underpricing to win the contract, and subsequently could find that he cannot afford to provide the required quality of service to patients.

This is precisely what happened some five years ago.

In order to provide reassurance to patients, we request that Health Minister Kate Beecroft and Director of Commissioning Tim Mansfield publish the following details as a matter of urgency:

What date does the new contract start?

Who will provide the new service? What is their contact phone number?

Will the patient transfer office provide this information in advance to patients?

What measures will the Department of Health put in place at the start of the new contract to ensure delivery of the required level of service?

Vulnerable patients must not be expected to act as guinea pigs, and a Department of Health representative needs to be in Liverpool to monitor the first days of the contract.

The department should also publish the specification for the new service, so patients know what must be provided.

This cannot be refused for reasons of commercial confidentiality, as no financial information is included.

Patients expect sufficient suitable vehicles to be provided, with prompt transfers and not via circuitous routes, to ensure timely arrival at hospitals and for return journeys.

And in case anything goes wrong, patients need a Department of Health contact number from 8am until late evening, rather than just during patient transfer service office hours.

It is stressful enough for patients making the journey off island without additional worries about transport between airport and hospital.

J and P Pennington,

Port Erin.

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Re: Improving buildings’ energy efficiency (February 28, 2017).

Energy efficiency is about much more than saving electricity. Indeed, energy efficient homes and buildings come with many benefits.

For one thing, living in an energy efficient building can lower your heating bills by more than 50%. Energy efficient buildings also stay more comfortable and safe during a blackout or disaster.

Thirteen jobs are created for every $1 million CAD (£600,000 GBP) invested in energy efficiency. In addition, energy efficiency has a number of direct and indirect health benefits.

Karen Tam Wu

Director of the Buildings and Urban Solutions Program

Pembina Institute

Water Street

Vancouver

Canada

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I am writing to ask the question why didn’t they open the promenade walkway to cars while the roadway is being renewed on the seafront?

They could have charged a parking fee to help offset the cost of the work.

Mr B Repath,

Princes Road,

Douglas.