Tramway Terrace can be repaired says new report

DoI u-turn over demolition plans

The tender process for the demolition of Tramway Terrace on Douglas Promenade has been halted, just a couple of weeks after it was launched.

It follows receipt, by government, of a new structural survey which concludes the registered building can be repaired.

The report from consulting civil and structural engineers Mann Williams says that while there are some localised areas requiring urgent work, the building is repairable.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall says his department is now looking at what can be done in the short term while options are explored.

Re-wind to 18 October and Mr Crookall announced the building was to be demolished, after a structural assessment, and a tender process would begin immediately to find a specialist firm to carry out the work.

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The announcement sparked an outcry from conservationists who accused the department of riding roughshod over planning procedures for a listed property.

Now, following another independent report, it seems the building isn't about to fall down after all.

Mr Crookall says that while safety concerns correctly triggered the demolition tender process he welcomes the findings of the new report which means they can look at how to find a positive outcome.

Meanwhile Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber has given assurance that the demolition of registered buildings will always be the last resort after other options have been 'robustly' considered.