It has stood on this site for more than 230 years.

Now ahead of its demolition, poignant graffiti has been daubed on the front wall of Balthane Cottage.

It reads: ’1785 - 2019 RIP.’

The cottage is expected to be flattened later this year to make way for a new roundabout, as part of the Ballasalla by-pass scheme.

Homebuilder Dandara has begun work on its new development at Reayrt Mie which will be accessed by the new bypass.

Planning consent for the 282-home development was secured in August (19/00137/B).

Construction of a bypass has long been mooted to help reduce traffic congestion in the village.

It will begin with a new roundabout at Glashen Hill on Douglas Road, cross the Steam Railway on a bridge and then rejoin the existing main road at a roundabout at Balthane Corner.

But it has been the responsibility of government to obtain the land at Balthane Corner necessary to complete the bypass route and build a new roundabout there.

The site includes Balthane Cottage, whose owner Grant Taylor has accepted an offer to sell the property.

He said the offer was the best he’d get without going down the compulsory purchase route. Mr Taylor is expected to move out of his old home shortly.

Groundworks are underway for the Glashen Hill roundabout, with traffic lights and single lane working causing delays during the morning rush hour.

Planning consultant Patricia Newton has criticised the government for being ’underhanded’ over its handling of a bypass scheme.

She has pointed out that the planning consent includes provision only for a ’one-ended’ bypass.

Mrs Newton claims that the demolition of the historic Balthane Cottage ’rides roughshod over development proposals’.

She said by the time government comes forward with a planning application to complete the bypass, the cottage will be gone with the public having had no opportunity for any say.