A controversial plan to demolish a Manx cottage and replace it with a tw- storey home in Port Erin has the backing of the local authority.

The proposal at West View cottage, Tower Road, was first submitted in June 2018 with amendments made in December.

The current building occupies 34% of the site, but this will rise to 80% in the proposed development.

At a recent meeting Port Erin commissioner Adrian Tinkler said: ’Heritage buildings need to be retained.

’It is a Manx cottage and would be detrimental to knock it down.’

Phil Crellin said: ’It’s out of keeping, but there’s a conservatory next door which you could say is out of keeping.

’It’s a mishmash of styles there, Bradda is not sacrosanct.

’The Department of Infrastructure are the experts when it comes to traffic but it’s not a dangerous road. I have no problem with it.’

Chairman Nick Watterson agreed there is a hodgepodge of styles there and was sympathetic to the challenges of renovating an old cottage.

Mr Tinkler proposed they oppose the plan and he was seconded by Godfrey Egee; however there was no support meaning a proposal by Mr Crellin to support the plan, seconded by Gerry Callister, was carried.

The application (18/00593/B) has provoked several letters of objection from neighbours.

One wrote the proposal is ’out of proportion for the plot and architecturally inconsistent with the majority of properties on that part of Bradda hillside’.

Its ’large glass windows ... will fundamentally change the historic character of that very public part of Bradda Road.

’The cottage is more than 150 years old, it must be retained as part of Manx cultural heritage and be given a preservation order.’

One wrote: ’Planning and Building Control directorate should consider whether it is consistent within our collective desire to preserve the natural beauty and architectural integrity of the Bradda Road/Bradda Head area to grant over intensive and demolition-based planning applications.’

A previous plan to refurbish the cottage and build an extension was supported by neighbours, but the high cost led to this alternative plan for redevelopment. Several pointed out cost-effective measures could be taken to reduce damp and make old cottages habitable.

’If every old Manx cottage suffering from damp problems were to be demolished rather than repaired, the island would have little heritage left and its essential character and appeal would be irreparably damaged.’