Derelict guest house could be turned into apartments

Planning permission is being sought to convert a derelict guest house in Douglas into apartments for 'young professionals'.

Plans are underway to convert the Marina Hotel on Loch Promenade into nine apartments and office accommodation.

The hotel stopped trading towards the end of the 1990s - in the application it says declining tourist numbers at the time meant it was 'impossible' to make a profit from the old building.

The property has since fallen into 'complete disrepair' and is now home to 'hundreds and hundreds' of pigeons and their 'hazardous deposits'.

Westminster Associates Limited now wants to gut the building, which is structurally safe, and remove what it's described as the 'ugly' roof.

It says the lack of parking will 'negatively affect the rental market' and with this in mind the apartments will be designed to suit young people and the more mature singles' market.