The Manx Development Corporation is holding a meeting to update the public on its plans to redevelop the old nurses’ home into flats and a cafe.

At 6.30pm on Tuesday (March 8) in the Finch Hill Bowls and Snooker Club, Douglas, MDC managing director will be giving a talk on the plans for the modernising the 1953 building, which has remained unused for years.

Chair of the Housing and Communities Board Chris Thomas MHK said that the government had indicated at Tynwald members briefing that the intention was for the new flats to be homes for key workers rather than being marketed as buy-to-lets.

These could, for example, include young nurses or teachers.

Under the plans reported in this week’s Manx Independent, a modern glazed extension will be added to the roof of the five-storey building, which will house flats with views over Douglas bay.

And the existing floors below it will incorporate one and two bedroom flats, for a total of 40 units.

MCD, a government-owned body, said the recent decision to retain the building was due in part to its architectural merit.

Mr Thomas said that had maintained since 2016 that it would be ’daft to demolish the building and that it would be far cheaper to re-develop it’, adding that he would like to see the same happen with the Lord Street flats.