Commissioners don’t object to ‘de-registering’ of Groudle Glen Hotel

Onchan Commissioners have no objection to a bid to remove Groudle Glen Hotel from the Island’s protected buildings register.

Owner Anna Kawalek has applied to planners at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture to reserve the decision, made earlier this year, to list the 19th century building.

It’s over fears registering the site, which she says requires substantial financial investment, will make selling it difficult.

DEFA chose to list the hotel, thought to be designed by renowned architect Ballie Scott, because of its historic interest, and association with Groudle’s legacy of tourism.

When a site is given this status, any works proposed must first receive special consent before development can begin.

As Onchan Commissioners were opposed to the registration in the first instance, the board voted to offer no objection to the owners’ new bid to have the site de-listed.

The decision was made at a meeting held last this week at Hawthorn Villa.