A planning specialist is expanding beyond the North East with a new solar project.

Hedley Planning, based in Hexham, has received approval to develop a new solar array on the Isle of Man.

The project involves the installation of three pole-mounted photovoltaic trackers, a first for the island.

Each tracker, containing 36 photovoltaic panels, will be installed on a 0.49-hectare plot of rural land off Douglas Road in Ballasalla.

The facility will also feature a data centre and a maintenance access road.

The on-site parking area will accommodate up to eight vehicles.

The initiative aims to generate 100 per cent renewable power for the site, aligning with the Isle of Man Climate Change Action Plan's Net Zero targets.

The data centre will display tracker data for educational purposes.

The photovoltaic trackers will be partially installed retrospectively, as groundworks for the trackers are already in place.

Once operational, the site will produce 50,989 kWh per year, servicing approximately 11.5 acres, including the Gatekeepers Cottage, site amenities, and equipment.

This is equivalent to powering 25 family-sized homes.

Hedley Planning director, Joe RidgeonHedley Planning director, Joe Ridgeon (Image: Supplied) Hedley Planning director, Joe Ridgeon, who oversaw the application, said: "We are delighted to eventually secure planning permission for this exciting project and very much look forward to seeing the plans come to fruition.

"We continue to face an energy crisis in the UK, so bringing forward solar energy farms like this one can be an efficient way to generate clean energy for properties and wider local communities.

"More environmentally beneficial initiatives will come on stream in the next few years as people continue to see the advantages and plug in to greener energy solutions."