On the instructions of Ramsey Town Commissioners work to remove dangerous sections of a property on Mooragh Promenade began on July 18. The Commission’s contractor, Manx Demolition Limited, has secured the site of the building known as Bleak House and commenced work to remove the front gable bay structures which have been declared dangerous. On March 23, 2010 Ramsey Town Commissioners obtained a Court Order against the property’s owner Pygott-White Limited, requiring works to be undertaken to make the front gable bays of the property safe. In November 2010 the owners were prosecuted for failing to comply with the order and Ramsey Town Commissioners are now carrying out the works in default. Lead member for works and development Kevin Mayne said: ‘The property has a long history of neglect and legal argument regarding the various leasehold interests, and all attempts to get the owner to attend to its dangerous condition have failed. Given these exceptional circumstances the Commission has had to take an unprecedented and highly regrettable course of action; namely resorting to using ratepayers’ money to make the building safe and seeking to recover the costs from the owners. I wish to make it clear that is not the Commission’s normal practice to effect repairs to private property. However, as a responsible local authority the Commission has a duty to ensure public safety and it was solely against this background that the decision was taken.’ Mr Mayne added that the works were being undertaken under powers vested in local authorities by the Building Control Act 1991. - Ends -