Plans to demolish the horse tram depot and replace it with a near replica building have been given the go-ahead

Registered building consent (18/00306/CON) and a planning application (18/00305/GB) for the Strathallan depot have been approved by the planning committee.

The £1.5m project will see demoliton of the crumbling old building that dates back to 1902.

In its place will be constructed a new building that will closely resemble the original.

It will include space for temporary storage of Manx Electric Railway tramcars, a ticket sales area, first-floor offices and welfare staff facilities.

The new sheds will accommodate 13 horse tramcars over two thirds of the building’s area, with the main staff facilities in the west wing and the storage and drying rooms in the rear of the tram sheds.

In the east wing of the tramshed, there will be an indoor ticket sales area and washrooms for passengers, as well as a space for future development - which could possibly be used as a cafe or operated by a private tenant.

Offices on the first floor will be used by engineering staff.

The facade of the building will be based on the original building with 12 doors, parapet and mouldings. The existing tracks and traverser in the forecourt will remain as they are.

Work at Stathallan depot can begin once detailed plans for two pedestrian entanceways and materials to be used for roofs, roller shutter doors and mouldings have been approved in writing.

In February last year, planning approval was obtained to build a temporary tram shed and stabling facilities on the Summerland site. But this was later deemed unaffordable and a revised plan for stabling only was later abandoned too.

Instead, it was decided that buying the existing Tramway Terrace building was more cost effective, as well as helping to retain part of the island’s heritage. The historic stables have since been placed on the protected buildings register.