Owners of a long-closed pub in Port Mary say it is still their plan to demolish the building.

The former Bay View Hotel was closed in 2013 and was purchased by its current owner Red Pen Ltd in 2015.

Since it closed, the building has fallen further into dereliction.

Planning consent was granted on appeal in May last year for its demolition and replacement with three three-bed flats (17/00976/B). But no work has begun.

Port St Mary Commissioners wrote to a number of owners of derelict properties in the village back in April requesting an update on their plans and when they would be moving forward with them.

When Red Pen didn’t respond, a second letter was sent in June, chasing up the request.

Red Pen’s Malcolm Jamieson, based at Ballakilley Farm, Church Road, Port St Mary, told Commissioners: ’As you will be aware permission was granted for the building to be demolished and for the construction of three apartments in its place. This remains the company’s objective.

’At this stage we are unable to provide you with a schedule or timeline to achieve this, but we will let you know further to our progress.’

Red Pen’s proposals were initially turned down by the planning committee which said it agreed with the ’strongly expressed local opinion that there is no adequate justification for the demolition of the building’.

It said its removal would have a negative impact upon the street scene and the building, which dates back to 1834, should be retained and converted for a more viable use.

But the government’s conservation officer said there was very little remaining of the historic fabric of the building, and certainly insufficient to have it listed.

Red Pen said after some six years of closure and neglect, the building suffers from extreme damp, the floor of the public bar is supported by props in the basement and it wasn’t feasible or financially viable to retain and renovate the existing building.

Port St Mary Commissioners objected on the grounds that the scale of the proposal was ’overbearing’ and a number of villagers argued the building has hosted historic Manx events, such as the inquest into the Brig Lily disaster in 1852.

But the inspector recommended the appeal be allowed, saying that in strict planning terms, he could find no requirement or justification for refusing the proposed demolition.

He noted: ’There is no doubt that the Bay View Hotel is fondly regarded and remembered by many local people as a significant, historic feature facing the Port St Mary waterfront.’

The inspector said it remained for the Minister ultimately to decide what weight should be given to the views of those local people and elected members.

Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot accepted the recommendation that the appeal should be allowed.