Three historic buildings are being considered for inclusion in a list of the island’s registered buildings, including the Cosy Nook cafe in Port Erin.

The Cosy Nook, the Trafalgar House in Douglas and the Mitre in Kirk Michael have all been issued with Proposal to Register Notices (PRN) on Monday, due to their potential special architectural or historical interest.

Last year Port Erin Commissioners voted to demolish the former beachside cafe, and had submitted a planning application to replace it with a new building.

The Cosy Nook was then issued with a Building Preservation Notice in December last year, which temporarily protected it from demolition.

A BPN means that a building has been fast-tracked for assessment, and that initial investigations have found it to be worthy of further consideration.

The planned demolition was opposed by Rushen Heritage Trust.

RHT director Hugh Davison said: ’In normal circumstances, RHT would favour registration of the building. However in this case there are a number of factors which need to be balanced.

’It is a priority to bring this important site back to productive use both for visitors, the local community, and for commissioners’ revenue.

’We hope that the registration process would not create extra delay.

’In addition, the local community has spoken clearly about the kind of building it wants on this site.

’Registration would move power from Port Erin to the government, and it is very important that the views of people in Rushen are fully understood and respected.

’In the next few weeks we will be consulting closely with them before forming a final viewpoint on registration.’

There were concerns that the second building, Trafalgar House, a former Victorian pub in Douglas, was at risk of damage due to its proximity to nearby demolition works.

In December, it had also been issued a BPN to protect it from total loss or damage.

The building is currently on the market, having been converted into a residential property in 2010.

Charles Guard of the Manx Heritage Foundation, who had sought to protect the building from the demolition works last year, said that he was delighted at the proposal for its registration.

He added: ’I would urge, if I may, as many people as possible to write in and support the proposal, as the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture are asking for views.

As part of Douglas’s historic harbour, the Trafalgar is a key element, and it’s only a great shame that the architects who have designed the adjacent apartments didn’t see fit to work this historic building into their scheme.’

The third building, the Mitre in Kirk Michael, is said to be the oldest pub on the island. Parts of the building are believed to have been built in the 16th century, making them around 500 years old.

Michael Heritage Trust (MHT) had previously voiced to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture its support for adding the Mitre to the register.

MHT stated: ’The public house is, in our view, an important feature of the village, with a long history as a hotel and social hub in the Parish.

’The old house, formerly Ballachrink Farm, forms part of an interesting group of buildings, including the neighbouring stables and the previously Registered Court House.

’We are surprised that the stables, currently used by the Rifle Club, are not also part of the proposal.’

However, MHT stressed that it felt registration alone was ’insufficient’ to protect the building, explaining: ’Michael already has a number of properties on the Protected Buildings Register, and two of them - the Courthouse and Church View - have been unused, and neglected, for many years.’

A three-week consultation for each building will now be used to gather further information with a final decision made soon after.

If it is decided that one or more of the buildings meet the criteria they will be protected from demolition, and any alteration or extension that affects their character without first receiving registered building consent.

DEFA Minister Geoffrey Boot said: ’Our built environment plays an important role in our cultural and national identity, and the Department is proud to present these prominent buildings that we believe demonstrate the potential architectural or historical interest that is required for further consideration.

’The island’s registered building’s add character to the island’s unique landscape and registration enables such buildings to be preserved for future generations.’

Currently around 250 buildings, ranging from thatched cottages to churches, are on the register.