A widow is surviving without mains power or heating in the island’s most infamous derelict house.

Jane Morris, aged 66, has been living alone in Bleak House on Ramsey’s Mooragh Promenade since her husband died on April 23 this year.

She blames Michael Morris’s death from a heart attack on the strain he was under in his long-running legal battle to save the eyesore seafront property from demolition.

’It’s the curse of Bleak House,’ she said.

But moves could be afoot at last to settle the decades-long dispute over the future of the property.

Agreement in principle was reached between the owners and leaseholders at a meeting in June that they seek to sell the building, free of the legal encumbrances that have thwarted progress for years.

It was recognised by all parties that neither the freeholder nor leaseholders had access to the finances needed to refurbish the building themselves.

The sale of Bleak House, freehold without leases, would enable a new purchaser to refurbish or redevelop the site.

At the last meeting of Ramsey Commissioners, it was agreed to call the parties together to find out what is planned - and to advise that if a sale isn’t progressed then they will have no option but to go down a statutory route which may result in demolition.

Ramsey Commissioners clerk Peter Whiteway said the demolition would be an ’act of last resort’ - and restoration was by far the best option.

He said Mrs Morris, as shareholder with her late husband of the company that owns Bleak House, has asked for more time to take legal advice.

Mr Whiteway said the conditions in which she was living were not appropriate and that she would be eligible for public housing, including sheltered accommodation.

The mains gas and electricity supply to Bleak House was cut off some years ago.

unstable

Unstable front gables were removed and the front of the property re-roofed at the ratepayers’ expense in 2011.

But falling masonry since then led to metal barriers being erected outside.

Windows have been put through at the front and back. Inside, it’s deemed too unsafe for structural engineers to carry out an inspection.

Mrs Morris said: ’Michael had a burning ambition to get the place renovated and get it used by the community with a jazz bar and an art gallery.’

A protracted legal battle over the ownership and leasehold of Bleak House thwarted that dream.

The building had been secured by the commissioners but in September last year the local authority agreed to hand back the keys to Mr and Mrs Morris on the understanding that they would be living there at their own risk.

Mrs Morris, who lives in a flat in the upper floors at the back of the building, said: ’We did have a generator but it broke down some time ago so there’s no electricity. I’m keeping warm with a little camping gas stove.

’I’m surviving. I’m holding up. I’ve got wonderful neighbours and friends who are very supportive.’

Mrs Morris said the pressure of legal challenges put a lot of strain on her husband’s health - although he would never have admited it.

She said she has looked at private rentals but none would allow her to live with her dog.

A few weeks ago she put her name on the list for sheltered housing.

But she is convinced Bleak House could yet be restored. ’If someone had the money for it, Bleak House could be marvellous. I mean look at this view!

’I don’t see why it can’t be restored. It may look derelict but it’s built of solid Manx stone and it’s not going anywhere.’

Town hall officers sought advice on the possible value of the property if sold by auction and were told it might realise about £40,000, based on the recent sale of two derelict former guesthouses on Church Road Marina, Douglas, which together went for a total of £100,000.

Mr Whiteway said: ’It is not the commission’s place to action the sale of the property, and, having reached an apparent agreement, we asked the parties to take the matter forward.

’A request for a progress report was issued in October. However, things haven’t moved on and at the last commissioners meeting it was agreed to call the parties together to find out what is planned.’

He said the commissioners had resolved in April to proceed with a ’time and place’ notice under the Housing Act which, subject to court action, might have resulted in demolition of the building.

This was put on hold following Mr Morris’s death but may have to be pursued if there is no move to sell the building.

But Mr Whiteway added: ’We do see demolition as a last resort.

’The property was built as a single development with Ellen Court, so demolition would entail considerable work to ensure the stability of that building and leave it protected from the elements.

’A much more satisfactory solution would be refurbishment if a developer or builder was able to acquire the property for that purpose.’