Port St Mary Commissioners have agreed to put together updated costs for completing the restoration of Manxonia House.

The building was controversially acquired by the local authority for £190,000 in 2016.

But the restoration was abandoned and the building put up for sale last year when the costs of renovation began to spiral.

Documents released under Freedom of Information reveal concerns were raised early on about the purchase of the run-down property which critics argued went through without commissioners being shown all the information they needed.

At their last board meeting, the Commissioners agreed to find out the latest costs of refurbishment.

The item on the agenda read: ’A business case for the building is being prepared; electrical refurbishment costs are still awaited.

’The board are requested to consider the future of the flat in a refurbishment process. If the entire building is to be commercial, would the board like the kitchen and bathroom in the flat removed or retained and refurbished?’

Commissioners chairman Michelle Haywood said the building was still on the market. But she said would-be buyers who had looked around the building were uncertain about the extra costs of renovation they would incur.

She said putting together the costs would provide clarity.

But she said another option could be for the authority to carry out the renovation itself. This would require borrowing approval, she said.