IN April it was announced that the former Marine Laboratory site in Port Erin could be converted into a hotel and retail unit after proposals to re-develop the area were approved.
Sea Breezes Publications Limited was granted "preferred developer status" in 2009 and the Department of Infrastructure reached agreement (subject to contract) over proposals to develop the site.
The company said it wanted to convert the existing buildings into a small 12 bedroom hotel, café, meeting rooms, lecture theatre, dive centre and retail unit.
The then Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: "I am delighted that Sea Breezes and the department's properties division, working together, have been able to move this project forward to the stage where redevelopment of the site is now a real possibility.
"This is a project that I have been keen to see brought forward and one which I initiated as Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and have been able to continue as Infrastructure Minister.
"The department's properties division will now be working closely with Sea Breezes to conclude the formal legal paperwork which, subject to agreement, will lead to the submission of a planning application by the company to re-develop the site."
Agreement for the site was reached on heads of term – documents setting out the main agreed terms between the parties in a commercial transaction. A formal legal agreement will be drawn up to allow matters to progress, subject to planning and other approvals necessary.
Hamish Ross, chairman of Sea Breezes Publications Limited, said: "We have all been working closely to bring this development forward to provide a new use for this site which reflects the maritime location and will encourage further expansion of marine and leisure activities and attract new business to Port Erin."
The department said the proposals would mean a substantial investment for Port Erin and provide a long term future for the former University of Liverpool Marine Laboratory site.
Update: isleofman.com contacted the Department of Infrastructure to see how these plans were progressing but has not received a response.
This story is part of isleofman.com's Review of the Year 2011.
