A Victorian landmark in an Onchan glen is at risk of collapsing.

The Groudle Glen water wheel ’Little Isabella’ is owned by Onchan Commissioners, but they seem content to ’let it fall’ according to Garff MHK Daphne Caine.

Mrs Caine made the claim in this week’s House of Keys as she asked Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot ’whether he is satisfied with the condition of Groudle Glen as a public amenity?’

Mr Boot said the issue of many owners within the glen created issues over jurisdiction in some parts, but added: ’Onchan Commissioners have ownership and responsibility for the water wheel and therefore any repairs and maintenance lies with them.’

He also described it as ’sad’ that they have not done anything about the wheel’s state of disrepair.

Mrs Caine said that in her discussions with the local authority, it became clear to her that the commissioners won’t repair the landmark because they feel it is of no benefit to the ratepayers.

The water wheel was discussed by commissioners during their May 21 meeting, when reasons were discussed for not fixing the wheel.

These included there being no budget for the project and issues with volunteers completing the work because of insurance culpability.

In the Keys, Mr Boot said he found it ’amazing’ a large authority like Onchan couldn’t find £20,000 for what he called ’basic repairs’.

However, in a statement released by the commissioners the cost of repairs is stated as about £200,000.

Chairman Martin Macfarlane said: ’The board has spent considerable time seeking a viable way forward to retain the attraction while remaining mindful that any expenditure must be in the best interest of the ratepayers of Onchan.

’The information available during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 budget setting process was a cost of about £200,000, a sum of that size would have an impact on ratepayers and was hard to justify against other priorities.’