Environment Minister Clare Barber has confirmed the former police station’s protected status remains “regardless of ownership”.
The building has been on the protected buildings register since February 1984 and Tynwald approved MNH’s plans to sell it earlier today.
Mrs Barber told Tynwald that any works affecting its character “whether internal or external, would require registered building consent”.
She added: “Inappropriate or harmful alterations would not be permitted.”
Enforcement
Jason Moorhouse raised concerns about enforcement, asking how effective the protections are.
Mrs Barber said unauthorised works on a registered building constitute “a criminal offence”, and the department “may revert to enforcement action requiring the works to be reversed”.
Mr Moorhouse also questioned what happens when owners lack funds for repairs, asking whether an owner “could be forced to sell the building”.
Mrs Barber confirmed that following an uncomplied repairs notice, “the department does have the option of compulsory acquisition of the building”.
However, she stressed the emphasis is “on encouraging repair reuse and long term viability, rather than punitive action”.
She noted that moving ownership “onto another party who has the funds or the resources” can “often see better outcomes” for preserving built heritage.