It may take another 18 months for legal wrangling over the Liverpool Ferry Terminal to be completed.
That was the timeline given by Infrastructure Minister Dr Michelle Haywood in Tynwald, as she confirmed the final construction cost for the terminal remains undetermined due to ongoing legal proceedings.
The land lease from Peel Land and Properties was acquired for £3.5 million in 2019, with stamp duty and professional fees adding a further £167,500. An annual peppercorn rent of £10 is payable for the site.
Dr Haywood said: “We have several parties that we are negotiating with, and they have different timelines set out in their contracts.
“The legal proceedings may extend for up to another 18 months in order for those proceedings to be launched and concluded between each party, but I’m hoping that we get a resolution before that.”
Costs
Answering a question from John Wannenburgh, the minister, who inherited the mess from several predecessors, said her department was “doing all we can to mitigate the final costs”.
She said: “We have an experienced construction legal team on board that is working to ensure that the resolution is reached in the best interests of the Isle of Man.”
Dr Haywood also revealed that the lease for the Steam Packet to use the terminal is currently with the Attorney General’s chambers for final changes and is anticipated to be signed shortly.