It was only a few days ago that we reported that the historic Tramway Terrace located in front of the horse tram stables in Douglas was to demolished after a recommendation from a safety inspection. But now there seems to be a possible reprieve with another inspection due to be undertaken.
Last week, the Isle of Man’s Department of Infrastructure were adamant that the demolition of the building would happen after they conducted a survey and followed it up with an independent inspection. The results of both recommended its demolition because of safety concerns, exacerbated by recent stormy weather, and so it was announced that a tender for its removal would go out to interested parties.
However, the news was met by anger on the island with heritage campaigners suggesting they could have been using safety concerns as a way of circumnavigating planning regulations for registered buildings.
And now the DoI have confirmed that a full independent structural review of the building had been commissioned by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. The final report from this will then be used to make a decision on the buildings future with all processes set to be followed “correctly”.
Oh, dear! “Headless chickens” and “alcohol-fuelled parties in a brewery (non-organization of)” come to mind.
The DoI could for once do something positively worthwhile ( although I doubt it!) by completing the truncated Horse Tramway back to Sea Terminal, or even if they had anything about them, on to the Railway Station via North Quay!
Let’s hope the terrace doesn’t get destroyed by ‘arsonists’ before it can be restored. Recently we have seen other disputed and derelict historic buildings such as Ayr Station suddenly ‘arsonized’, facilitating demolition. It happened to the Foster Mills building in Cambridge, but the owners were forced to restore it and incorporate it into their new development.