In what might be seen as a bid to outwit objections to the wholesale dismantlement of the Douglas Horse Tramway, an advert in this week's Manx Independent points to a 'deadline' for submissions of offers for the Douglas horse tramway stables.
"Best bids for the purchase of this 'prime' 0.4 acre approx development 'opportunity' must be submitted to the offices of Chapman and Co by 12 noon on Friday January 20th."
Whether the site really is a 'development opportunity' remains to be seen, as the site is part of a Conservation Area and ‘Douglas Council can rest assured that the MERS will do all it can to oppose applications for development at either site which involves removal of the stables from where they have been for over 100 years.’
The issue of a deadline follows the publication just before Christmas of planning permission for the 'Erection of temporary horse tram facility including tram shed, stables, staff welfare facilities, parking and new vehicular access' - on the site of the old Summerland'. A planning notice posted on the site gave January 6th as the recommended date for comments - and comprehensive objections have been submitted by interested parties including the MERS, but as the notice clearly states: "however it [comments] can be made at any point prior to the application being determined".
The 0.4 acre stables site includes three terraced houses, the stables and associated buildings. It is important to note that the stables themselves are in good condition, having been the subject of an extensive modernisation scheme by the Corporation in the 1990s. By contrast the Tramway Terrace buildings have been neglected by the Corporation, as has the nearby Horse Tram Depot, and both are described by them as being in poor condition.
No sale price is given but it has been said that the Corporation were originally looking for offers around £800,000. It remains to be seen if bids anywhere near this sum are ever made.
Douglas Borough Council approved plans to sell-off the stables and relocate them to a refurbished depot back in June 2014. Last year, the government stepped in to run the horse trams following a decision by the Borough Council to end the service. In July 2016, Tynwald approved plans to keep the trams running for the next two years. Douglas Borough Council has agreed in principle to transfer ownership of the Strathallan building to the Department of Infrastructure. At that time it was stated that the depot would be be refitted and repaired at a cost of up to £150,000 for use as a temporary depot and stables. This plan has evidently been the subject of a u-turn.
In December Tynwald considered a further tramway u-turn, when a new proposal to abandon the Loch Prom section of the horse tramway was placed before it by new Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer - who had previously voted in July to retain the Loch Prom section. In the event the House was divided, with Keys backing the proposal but the upper Legislative Council opposing it - not least on the grounds that Tynwald had backed the retention of the full tramway in July.
The Horse Tramway's future will be considered by Tynwald at its next sitting on Tuesday January 17th:
5. Douglas Promenade Options Review (Combined vote under Standing Order 3.19(1))
(Extract from the December 2016 Votes and Proceedings)
Motion made –
That Tynwald is asked to approve the following principles for the reconstruction of the Douglas Promenades [GD No 2016/0083]:
[...]
ii. The twin tracks between Broadway and Summerhill are to be renewed in the current location;
[...]
Recommendation ii –
Court divided.
Recommendation lost.
Mr Harmer gave notice under Standing Order 3.19(1) of his intention to move this recommendation for a combined vote at the next sitting.
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