Old Police Station in Castletown to be sold by Manx National Heritage

Tynwald approves motion after debate over upkeep and protections

Tynwald has approved proposals for Manx National Heritage (MNH) to be able to sell the Old Police Station in Castletown.

Designed by Baillie Scott, the building is of both historic and architectural importance, and has been owned by the Manx Museum and National Trust since 2018.

Now, the registered building will be put up for sale on the open market.

The move comes after plans to develop it privately by the charity stalled.

The political trustee for MNH, Douglas South MHK Sarah Maltby moved the motion in the Island's parliament this morning:

She emphasised that if the sale was approved, the building would remain protected given its importance.

MOORHOUSE

But leading those with concerns in Tynwald this morning (22 April) was Arbory, Castletown and Malew member Jason Moorhouse:

WATTERSON

Speaker of the House, Juan Watterson MHK echoed his concerns.

Mr Watterson brought the matter to Tynwald back in 2018, which led to the purchase of the building by MNH at the time.

He told members today he didn't trust that legislation in place to ensure the correct maintenance of the building would be enough to adequately protect it if it fell into private hands:

GLOVER

The funding of our Island's leading heritage charity was the concern of Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover, who questioned why it had gotten to the point MNH has chosen to sell the building:

CLUEIT

But throwing his support behind the motion to sell the old police station was MLC Gary Clueit, who said it was a 'pragmatic' and 'necessary step' by MNH. 

He said his only concern surrounded the fact that the burden to maintain the building after sale would fall on the private owner:

Mr Clueit argued that government needs to 'rethink [its] grant system' to support private owners to look after historic buildings.

VOTE

Ultimately, the motion was passed with overwhelming support - only three MHKs (Glover, Moorhouse and Watterson) voted against - whilst all others, and all Legislative Council members, voted in favour.