Refusing a proposal to convert Port St Mary railway station into offices is ‘a really bad step’, according to the local authority.
The proposal, 16/00535/B by Haven Homes, was submitted on their behalf by Hugh Logan Architects, who argued alternative use is needed to secure the building’s future.
The authority said they did not want the station to mirror the marine biological station in Port Erin, which has been derelict – despite proposals – for 10 years.
However the planning committee said it is ‘not persuaded’ the station buildings are redundant for their original purposes and the waiting room is inadequate.
Introducing car parking between the goods shed and the railway building would visually separate them. The committee felt registration of the buildings should be decided first.
Commissioner Ian Skelly said: ‘I’m very disappointed this was refused.’
He added Haven Homes has withdrawn another application (14/00357/A) for 23 houses on land near the station.
He said: ‘This would have been a good income generator for the village. My fear is if we give it too long, a derelict station building will be there when we are all pushing up the daisies.’
Michelle Haywood read out planners’ reasons for refusal, and said: ‘You can hear the architects smacking their heads and saying: “But the department said this was OK”. The department had said: “no, we do not need these buildings”. I’m gutted by this, it’s a really bad step.’