Planning chiefs have proposed that two stations on the steam railway are listed on the protected buildings register.

They say Port Erin and Port St Mary stations should be listed because of their special architectural and historical interest.

It comes as a change of stance from the planning department.

The Steam Railway Supporters’ Association applied to have Port St Mary railway station and goods shed listed in February 2015. But no decision was made.

Developer Haven Homes purchased the station and goods shed and submitted plans to have them converted into offices.

This application (16/00535/B) was refused by the planning committee but subsequently given the go-ahead on appeal.

Now with listed building status proposed, the station described as a ’fine example of railway architecture’, Haven Homes is considering what impact this will have on its proposals.

Haven Homes co-owner Dave Lewis said: ’We have agreed to purchase the Port St Mary railway station building and goods shed under certain terms and these are currently being drafted by the Attorney General’s office.

’We are currently looking into the detail of the proposed registration to see what effect, if any, it may have on our proposals.’

A spokesman for Isle of Man Transport said: ’The building is sold subject to contact and the sale is being handled by Treasury.

’We have no interest in the building since it was declared surplus to operational needs.’

The planning department had also proposed that Port Erin railway station, steam shed and goods shed are listed.

A proposal for this had originally been lodged by the Supporters’ Association in 2012. But the Association was told that the station would only be considered for registration once Port Erin’s regeneration project was complete.

This project was largely complete by the summer of last year and the association lodged a revised proposal with the planning department in the November.

In its application, the Association said Port Erin station’s booking hall and waiting room are now ones on the whole line in anything like original condition.

’This factor alone should ensure its entry onto the protected buildings register,’ it said.

The Supporters’ Association said it was committed to preserving these historic structures. It said: ’We strongly believe these buildings are essential in keeping the heritage appeal of our railway alive, which should be cherished as a whole, not just the locomotives and carriages, and properly protected for future generations to enjoy.’