Vote for time in old police station debate

Building off market as talks continue

It's been confirmed the old police station in Castletown is no longer for sale on the commercial market.

There was a bid by Garff MHK Daphne Caine for Tynwald to ensure the building in Castletown is transferred to Manx National Heritage free of charge - it has been put on hold for two months.

Designed by British architect Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott in 1895, it has gone on the market with a guide price of £250,000.

Daphne Caine tabled an urgent motion saying action is needed to protect a "treasured example of our architecture":-

However, Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey said should Tynwald support the move it would set a 'dangerous precedent of giving buildings away'.

Earlier in the sitting, Mr Malarkey said he could not transfer the building to Manx National Heritage free of charge and had a duty to protect the Manx taxpayer.

However, the Manx Museum and National Trust had been offered an interest free loan to buy the building with a £25,000 discount.

Speaker Juan Watterson successfully called for the urgent motion to be adjourned for two months to allow further talks to take place:-