Building work on the new race control centre for the Southern 100 is close to completion.

The building replaces two dark green portable cabin structures, placed one on top of the other, which had been in place during race periods since 2006.

Planning consent for the application lodged by Southern 100 Motorcycle Racing Limited (17/00834/B) was granted in October 2017.

The new two-storey building colour will accommodate the electronic timing system as well as a manual support system which involves officials having to be able to see as far up the road as possible.

Planning conditions stipulate that the unit may be used only for administration of the racing on the Billown Circuit and if that use ends, it must be removed within one year of its last use or within six months of confirmation that it is no longer needed.

It is also finished in dark green to reduce its visual impact.

The planning officer’s report noted that the building has a ’functional and unimaginative appearance’.

It stated: ’There can be little doubt that the proposed structure will not be harmonious with the otherwise natural roadside along the northern side of the by-pass.’

But it said the applicant was in a difficult position of having no assurance that the building will continue to be required on a permanent basis and was therefore ’perhaps not in a position to spend more money on something more interesting’.

And the report pointed out that local residents either had no objection or consider that the need overrides whatever impact there is.

Following an objection from Manx Utilities about a cable running underneath the proposed location, the new building is cited 2.5m further back from the road.