A growing chorus of demands is being made to progress plans for the ’urgent’ redevelopment of the ’eyesore’ Bayqueen hotel site in Port St Mary.

The local authority, the son of the original architect and a member of the family that built and ran the hotel have all joined forces to speak out on the issue.

Hartford Homes submitted a plan, originally for 28 flats plus town houses (now 45 apartments) and restaurant, in January 2018.

The proposal gained the support of the Port St Mary commissioners and provoked few objections.

However progress stalled at planning’s registered buildings department.

Now registered buildings officer Ross Brazier has stepped down and the local authority is keen this does not create even further delays.

Now commissioners’ chairman Michelle Haywood has written to wrote to planning minister Geoffrey Boot in the hope this will speed up the process.

She wrote: ’We have been consulted by the architects periodically over the last three years, and believe that the current plans pay due homage to the original building and design.’

She added: ’The Bayqueen site has been an eyesore at the end of the Promenade for many years since it closed in the 1980s.

’For too long the residents of Port St Mary have had to witness the decay of this building, and we hoped that when Hartford Homes purchased the site in around 2008 that progress might be a little swifter.

’We believed that plans were close to being submitted, but have been held up due to even more investigations being required by the registered buildings officer.

Whilst we appreciate the need to protect buildings at risk, we believe this should be balanced against community wishes and the wider context of the redevelopment.

’In its current state, the site presents a safety risk to Port St Mary.

’There have been numerous occasions when the building has been accessed and it is a serious concern that fire may take the building in a similar fashion to the Port Erin Marine Lab site.

’As I have discussed with you previously, there is a wider social and economic context to this redevelopment.

’We believe that the Hartford Homes scheme presents the best opportunity for the redevelopment of this site with high quality, iconic building that would be a credit to Port St Mary.

’We understand that the registered buildings officer, Ross Brazier, may now have left his post.

’We are concerned that any gap in the provision of planning support should not delay this project any further.

’Please can you advise us of when a new appointment is expected to be made, or if alternative plans have been made to deal with Mr Brazier’s case load, specifically for this site?

’In conclusion, we would welcome your assistance in ensuring that this current proposal is not subject to undue delay, and reflect the local community view that the development is supported and welcomed.

’We would be happy to meet with yourself or the relevant officers to discuss the way forward.’

Hugh Davidson, whose father Alec was architect of the hotel in 1935, met Mr Brazier last month and subsequently wrote: ’(Regarding) responsibility for the present bad state of the building.

’While I share your aversion to the strategy of "Buy, Neglect, Demolish" as a pretext for destroying heritage buildings, I do not think Hartford Homes can be considered responsible for the dilapidated state of the current building.

’It was bought in the late 1970s by the late Mr Victor Sharma as a going concern, closed in the early 1980s and left unoccupied thereafter. 

’So it was empty for around 25 years until sold to Hartford Homes in, I think, 2008.

’While it has further deteriorated since, the major damage had been done by 2008 and the building was already in a very bad state.

’Previously, in 2002, the right hand half of the building had been demolished and the interior contents sold.’

Regarding whether the listed twin towers should be restored or rebuilt, he wrote: ’I can understand that a case has to be made for demolition of the original, but as a lay person the interior looks beyond economic repair.

’I would be quite satisfied for the original to be rebuilt on the lines suggested in the plans ... The new plans retain the key elements of the original, the two towers with sloping roof, the small arched windows on the upper floors and the large arched ones on the ground floor.

’I also assume that a complete rebuild would last longer than a recasting of the original.’

He added that there was a sense of ’urgency’ of getting the plans agreed and starting building work.

’There appear to have been very few local objections, and Michelle’s (Haywood) view of local feeling, which I echo, is that there is a strong appetite to restore this flagship site to economic use for the benefit of the whole community.

’Apart from being a highly visible eyesore which degrades the view down the Promenade, it’s a hazard to possible intruders.

’Most importantly its occupation will be of great economic benefit to Port St Mary, through rates, more retail sales, a new restaurant, and a general sense of improvement.’

’As someone with a strong emotional attachment to the original building ... the key priorities are to rebuild the Bayqueen based on the current plan, and to do so as soon as possible. 

’The plan retains the heritage integrity of the twin towers,  and restores the footprint of the original building to its full original extent. When the building is completed, I imagine there will be a big cheer from the local community and relief that this iconic site is once again contributing to the social and economic life of Port St Mary.’

He continued: ’I very much welcome your more rigorous approach to conservation and registration and believe the island will greatly benefit from it. However, in the specific case of the Bayqueen there seems a strong case for approval.

’Quite simply, if Betty Kelly (whose family built and ran the hotel) and I are happy with the current plans, with our strong family and emotional attachment to the building, commitment to Manx heritage, and no commercial interest in the outcome, why aren’t you?’