The planning application to redevelop the site of the Castletown Golf Links Hotel will be considered later this month.

In the House of Keys sitting on Tuesday, the Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture Clare Barber said it is currently expected that the application for a development in the area will be presented to the planning committee on Monday, November 15.

The application was originally submitted on December 6, 2017 when Dandara proposed a new hotel and residential apartments for the site.

This means it will have taken almost four years to be considered.

Mrs Barber said: ’Members will be aware that this case has been the subject of a petition of doleance that appears complex.

’However, four years is an exceptional amount of time and I personally apologise that it has not been possible to progress this matter in a more timely manner.’

The hotel has been closed since 2007.

She added: ’The situation at present is that, with planning applications, a number of external factors can also influence those delays and there have been a number of different reasons for the delays in this situation.’

MHK for Arbory, Castletown and Malew James Moorhouse wanted confirmation that the application would be considered on the date specified.

Mrs Barber said: ’If any external factors were to arise, I cannot comment about the unknown unknowns.’

Tim Glover, also MHK for Arbory, Castletown and Malew, asked in the sitting who can apply for a demolition order for the former hotel.

Mrs Barber explained the local authority, Malew Parish Commissioners, has the power to serve a demolition notice if the building poses a safety concern.