Demolition of Victorian era pub approved

A Victorian era pub in the west of the Isle of Man can be knocked down and turned into a four terraced houses after planners agreed the move.

The planning committee approved proposals by Jim Limited to demolish the Waterfall Hotel in Glen Maye, which first opened as a public house in 1865 but has been vacant for more than five years.

A neighbouring property owner expressed concerns about the loss of the area's "last amenity" but developers argued it had been proven the building was "no longer commercially viable".

Two similar applications were refused in 2018 and 2023, but the government declined to add the building to the Protected Building Register in 2021.

Objecting to the plans, the nearby resident raised concerns lights would shine into their homes through the skylights and questioned whether the building had been "wilfully left to end up in a dilapidated state to get planning passed".

Those behind the project said "multiple attempts have been made over the years to make the business work", and rising costs had meant people stayed at home more or went to "the main hubs for ease of getting home".

The existing building could not be renovated and converted, they added.

The most recent previous application had been refused due to the "uncharacteristic use of dormer windows" in a "sensitive area" at the head of a National glen.

However, the developers confirmed that aspect of the plans, which would see four houses set over three levels, had been removed and replaced with rooflight windows.

Recommending the proposals be approved, the planning officer said the updated plans had been designed to "ensure that it would not harm the use and enjoyment of neighbouring properties" and it had "no detrimental visual impact on the character of of the area".

The development would also see eight parking spaces earmarked for the owners of the new properties in the adjacent car park, which would leave about 40 spaces for visitors.

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