Demolition of Former Primary School in Isle of Man Capital Cost £68,000

The demolition of a primary school in the Isle of Man’s capital incurred a cost of £68,000. The site is currently being utilized by an arm’s length government body for parking and storage purposes. Ballacloan Infants’ School, located in Douglas, was razed in January 2023, having remained vacant for several years prior. Treasury Minister Alex Allinson stated that the Manx Development Corporation is presently using the site during its redevelopment of the old nurses home on Westmoreland Road. However, Julie Edge MHK argued that mechanisms should be established to ensure government-owned land “brings a return in.” Jason Moorhouse MHK questioned the government’s decision to spend money on demolishing the site, suggesting that this expense could have been deferred to a future purchaser. Allinson informed the House of Keys that the site had not been used for “educational purposes” since 2016. He noted that while it saw some use during the pandemic, it had otherwise remained “derelict.” He explained that properties left empty for “a long period of time” result in “ongoing costs to government” for heating, lighting, and insurance. Allinson asserted that the government needed to bring these sites “back into economic use,” identifying demolition as the “first point” to achieve this goal. He further told members that the vacant site had been valued by the government in June, and “ongoing works” are in progress to consider the disposal of the site at that valuation, which has not been advertised on the open market.