DEFA moves to protect Government House

Government House and Foxdale Clocktower registration proposed

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says it wants to protect two iconic Manx landmarks by placing them on the protected buildings register.

The Victoria Clock Tower on Mines Road in Foxdale and Government House on Governor’s Road in Onchan are described by DEFA as being of special architectural or historic interest.

Government House, the home of the Island’s lieutenant governors, should have been listed in 2007 but the department says an administrative oversight meant its registration was never completed.

Buildings on the register can’t be altered or demolished without special permission.

Government House, originally Bemahague Farm, was built between 1820 and 1830 and was altered when the government bought it to house the governor in 1904.

It’s currently the official Island residence of Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood and his family.

Foxdale’s 40-foot high clocktower was officially opened in 1901 to mark the death of Queen Victoria – and was thought to be the first memorial to her reign in the British Empire.

If you’d like to submit views on either building, you can contact the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture by November 6 for the Clock Tower or November 10 for Government House.