Ramsey Commissioners’ consultation on the future of the town’s courthouse received more than 930 submissions.

They are currently being reviewed and will be discussed by the courthouse sub committee at a private meeting tonight (Thursday).

It is hoped that a report on a number of options can then be considered at the meeting of Ramsey Town Commissioners on Wednesday, March 15.

The board has invited Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey to attend the meeting.

As the Manx Independent reports today, the courthouse has been put on the market by Mr Malarkey’s department for a price of £475,000.

Andrew Cowie, the chairman of Ramsey Commissioners, said: ’The courthouse is the heart of Ramsey and embodies a lot of the town’s history.

’The results of our survey showed the depth of feeling within the town and demonstrated the clear sense of pride and ownership of the town centre that is displayed.

’To lose this iconic building, which was built with public subscriptions, to a private developer with the consequent risk of seeing it fall into disuse or be developed inappropriately is not acceptable to the commissioners, who are united in their feelings on this issue.’