Thirteen Island landmarks being considered for special protection

Almost half the sites are part of the Manx heritage rail network

Thirteen landmarks on the Isle of Man are being considered for special protection.

Proposal to Register Notices (PRNs) were issued for the locations last month by the Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture (DEFA).

The sites include the Legislative Chambers in Douglas; The Royal Chapel at St John's; two parts of Douglas Railway Station and the Laxey and Ballure viaducts on the Manx Electric Railway.

Should registrations get the green light, the sites would be legally protected from demolition or alteration of their character unless registered building consent is approved.

The sites being considered for protection are:

• Legislative Chambers, Douglas
• The Royal Chapel, St John's
• Former School of Art, Douglas (now Kensington Arts)
• Former Peel Railway Station (now part of the House of Manannan)
• Kirk Michael Fire Station (former railway station)
• Douglas Railway Station Workshops
• Douglas Railway Station Signal Box
• Monk's Bridge, Malew
• Groudle Viaduct
• Moore's Bridge, Laxey
• Laxey Manx Electric Railway Viaduct
• Ballure Manx Electric Railway Viaduct
• The Stone Bridge, Ramsey

DEFA Minister, Clare Barber says: "These proposals reflect the depth and diversity of the Island’s built heritage — from the grandeur of the Legislative Chambers to the engineering legacy of our historic railways.