Douglas Council leader David Christian says ’enough is enough’ over the capital’s wasted sites and dilapidated buildings.

Mr Christian told the Examiner: ’Someone needs to make a stand about sites like the Villiers Square, which has been lying in its current condition at the heart of Douglas for 20 years, and the Castle Mona, which is deteriorating further.

’Bear in mind, this is all while the government is spending £25m on infrastructure [on the promenades], but looking at the bigger picture, these sites will remain an eyesore.

’The government could look at strategic sites.

’They don’t like compulsory purchasing but it could be done.

’Douglas council can’t afford to do it and we can’t ask our ratepayers to foot the bill, but something must be done for these sites.’

Mr Christian’s comments come as it was announced on Friday that the sale of the Castle Mona Hotel had fallen through and it would be going under the hammer at Lambert Smith Hampton on Monday, May 14.

Brett Martin, chief executive of the Sefton Group, said: ’For a number of months we have been working closely with a prospective buyer but unfortunately, despite several deadline extensions, they have failed to complete the purchase.

’Consequently, the board of Sefton Group has concluded that placing the property in auction is the best way to progress a sale and secure the long-term future of the building.’

Simon Riggall, auctioneer at Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), has revealed that the new guide price for the Castle Mona is £750,000 and said: ’There is a determination to sell, and draw a line under the protracted negotiations with various parties.’

LSH said an offer had been made that was below this asking price and was rejected. It appears this was in some way connected to former Braddan Commissioners clerk Charles ’Buster’ Lewin after he claimed in a Facebook group to have been in contact with the auctioneers.

Within his post, Mr Lewin said the bid to which he said he was attached ’could not be accepted because the £750,000 had been agreed with the Sefton bankers’, LSH would not comment on the identity of any potential bidders or rejected bids.

The listing includes details of the former hotels 98 bedrooms, double-height ballroom and dining room and describes it as a ’development opportunity’.

LSH also states that the land occupies a portion of the entire Sefton-owned Palace Hotel area which makes up about six acres and may ’allow for a much larger sea front scheme centred upon Castle Mona. This is available by separate negotiation’.

This is in line with Brett Martin saying the Sefton Group remained committed to the long term aim of moving the Palace into the heart of Douglas at the Middlemarch site off Lord Street.

The Castle Mona began as a house built by the fourth Duke of Athol before being turned into a hotel in 1831.

It closed suddenly in 2006 and has been empty ever since.

Simon Riggall, auctioneer at Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), has revealed that the new guide price for the Castle Mona is £750,000 and said: ’There is a determination to sell, and draw a line under the protracted negotiations with various parties.’

LSH said an offer had been made that was below this asking price and was rejected. It appears this was in some way connected to former Braddan Commissioners clerk Charles ’Buster’ Lewin after he claimed in a Facebook group to have been in contact with the auctioneers.

Within his post, Mr Lewin said the bid to which he said he was attached ’could not be accepted because the £750,000 had been agreed with the Sefton bankers’, LSH would not comment on the identity of any potential bidders or rejected bids.

The listing includes details of the former hotels 98 bedrooms, double-height ballroom and dining room and describes it as a ’development opportunity’.

LSH also states that the land occupies a portion of the entire Sefton-owned Palace Hotel area which makes up about six acres and may ’allow for a much larger sea front scheme centred upon Castle Mona. This is available by separate negotiation’.

This is in line with Brett Martin saying the Sefton Group remained committed to the long term aim of moving the Palace into the heart of Douglas at the Middlemarch site off Lord Street.

The Castle Mona began as a house built by the fourth Duke of Athol before being turned into a hotel in 1831.

It closed suddenly in 2006 and has been empty ever since.