As an island we’ve seen many changes to our building landscape.

Today’s young minds will be able to look back on what Douglas seafront looked like before the re-development, with the tram tracks being in the centre of the road from Broadway to the Sea Terminal.

We spoke to members of the public to ask what big architectural changes they’ve seen in their lifetime, as well as what they deem to be good, bad and, well... flat out ugly spots in the island.

’The Sea Terminal - it’s the first thing people see when they arrive to the island. It’s very outdated and doesn’t give a good first impression,’ said Chris Alford, 36, from Douglas. ’It’s in the shape of the Three Legs of Mann, but you can’t see that unless you have a helicopter.

’You’ve got the Douglas Promenade works at the moment. I can imagine when that’s finished it’ll be a lot nicer.’

Lee Mills, 49, from Douglas, said: ’I think Strand Street is very nice with the new pavement, which is a real effort in the main shopping area and Regent Street. It’s more aesthetically-pleasing.’

His wife, Amanda, 51, said: ’That’s how the UK’s building its shopping areas. We’re no different.’

Lee continued: ’We need more effort because people shop online. Also, businesses have moved out to business parks so now there are less workers in the centre.’

Amanda said: ’It’s definitely quieter.’

Paula Noble, 71, from Onchan, said the place where Howstrake Hotel, in Onchan, used to be is an eye sore.

’A lot of fences went up, which are now falling down, and people dump rubbish there. Instead of giving them more green fields to build on, let them use what they’ve got.’

She added: ’The old Royal Bank of Scotland would make a lovely Wetherspoons.’

Her partner Eric Smith, 80, said: ’They’ve just pulled these sites down like Park Road and the old prison in Douglas and are not doing anything with them.’

Natasha Moore, 42, from Douglas, said: ’In Ramsey it looks nice because they’re doing a lot in the main street. There’s not much going on in Peel, although I have been keeping up-to-date with the Empire Garage, which seems a bit overdeveloped.

’There are also houses going up there. I know there’s a need for houses for first-time buyers, but it’s buying into the land and great scenery. I suppose we need to grow, but I would like to maintain the land because it’s a beautiful island.’

She added: ’Premier Inn, what’s that all about? Why would you pay money to be at the back of Marks and Spencer?’

Emma Oates, 35, from Douglas, said: ’I like what’s going on in Summer Hill Glen with the safety aspects such as the railings, barriers and the fact that it’s more than a fairy glen. It’s now got other attractions to entertain families.’

The mother of two young children added: ’My kids go there all the time! It’s their favourite place and whenever we ask "where do you want to go today", it’s: "the fairy glen!". At the moment there are a lot of kids areas in plantations.

’The island is getting better at providing things to do outdoors. We’ve lost a lot of places for kids, Summerland being one of them.’