The owners of the Castle Mona have welcomed planning approval being given to allow them to begin their restoration of the iconic building.
Planners gave their backing to the Tevir Group’s plans to demolish the modern wings of the Castle Mona as they seek to preserve its future.
The Tevir Group, which bought the hotel in 2018, recently announced plans for the replacement of roof coverings with slate and repair of the roof structure, interior works to remove "modern" out-of-character additions such as bathrooms, partitions and the single-storey flat roof infill and associated office/toilets to the inner courtyard.
A spokesman for the group said they were ’delighted’ to have received the full support of the planning committee for its plans.
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He added: ’Tevir Group are keenly aware that the Castle Mona is an important heritage asset for the Isle of Man and have invested a great deal of care and detail into these initial plans.
’We would therefore like to thank the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society and Manx National Heritage for their appreciative comments in support of the planning submissions.
’Now that approval has been granted, a structural survey is currently being undertaken to ensure that aspects of the building’s interior, such as stairwells, are secure and safe for our contractors ahead of the commencement of works.
’Additionally, specialist work to remove asbestos from the building will also be undertaken following completion of the survey.’
In his report to the planning committee, Ross Brazier said the plans ’will result in the loss of some historic fabric, that being the lath and plaster ceilings and walling linings covering the principle trusses to the ballroom’.
He added: ’However, the application has made clear that given the condition of these elements are poor and have already suffered from serious interventions and removal in parts.
’Their contribution to the special interest of the building is now very limited and the removal of these remaining elements is vital to facilitate the major repairs required to the roof structure.’
The Tevir Group has still not said what it actually intends to do with the building and its recent applications offer little in the way of clues.
The Castle Mona was built in the early 1804 for the then governor of the island, the fourth Duke of Athol. It became a hotel in 1831.
As the Castle Mona is a registered building, the group was able to carry out emergency works prior to permission being granted in order to protect it from further damage.