Colby won't be getting a heritage centre, after a well-known local resident died and left money in his will for the purpose.

John Donald Collister provided more than ?1 million for the facility to be built on land he owned in the village.

The Collister Heritage Centre and Museum would have been built alongside the Ballastrooan estate but, after hearing from planning officer Sarah Corlett, High Bailiff John Needham said in a judgement there was no real hope of permission being given.

Mr Collister didn't say what should be done with the money if the centre couldn't be built, and Mr Needham said a suggestion it could be constructed elsewhere and run by the local commissioners didn't seem to fit his wishes.

However, he said because Mr Collister had left instructions for the balance of his estate to be given to Manx National Heritage, the money for the centre should go to that organisation.

In court, MNH said it would be willing to consult on how the bequest could best be used.