A charming Victorian landmark could be rebuilt this year if planners give their backing to a planning application.

Onchan Commissioners have submitted its application (20/00434/B) to rebuild the waterwheel and wheelhouse in Groudle Glen.

Known as Little Isabella, the wheel and its building were removed last year after years of neglect had left them in a sorry state.

While the building will be a new structure, the original wheel will be reinstated.

In April last year, Laxey-based firm Mining Machinery Developments demolished the wheelhouse and used a crane to lift the wheel itself high above the glen to be taken away for restoration.

The wheelhouse will be built using materials requiring minimal maintenance such as self-coloured render and PVC wood grained boarding.

An access to the building will be provided by a walkway and stairs built using black painted steelwork.

Built in late 19th century, the waterwheel provided power for lighting and pumping water to the Groudle Hotel.

Despite being maintained throughout the 20th century, it last turned in the early 2000s.

The application support documents, created by consultants Curtins, show that the Manx Utilities Authority has raised no objection to the scheme as it poses no increased flood risk.

Meanwhile the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has also confirmed it has no objections to the application and agreed that works required in the river could be undertaken between mid-June and September.

Last year, Onchan Commissioners said it had reached an agreement with Laxey mining company MMD GPHC Ltd to demolish and rebuild the wheel house and restore the wheel. Then chairman of the local authority, Martin Macfarlane, said the plans had been considered to ensure ’that any expenditure must be in the best interest of the ratepayers of Onchan’.

In January this year, the previous planning application was confirmed to have expired after delays to topological surveys.