Plans for enhancements to cultural centre

Fairfield House in St John's is opposite Tynwald Hill

Plans have been put forward for a major redevelopment of the Culture Vannin headquarters to create an enhanced cultural centre.

The works, at Fairfield House on Main Road in St John's, would see an extension to allow for exhibitions, workshops and community use, an external exhibition space, and a transformation of the rear garden.

The organisation said the "retrofitting" of the site, part of which served as a police station and lock-up for a time during the 19th Century, would also increase the building's energy efficiency.

Money for the project would come from reserves, grants and ongoing fundraising, with the work phased to allow more funds to be brought in.

The organisation moved to Fairfield House in 2016, opening its cultural centre to the public on Tynwald Day that year.

The building had been bought the previous year using part of a legacy left to the charity.

'Accessible and useful'

The building had originally been the home of the rural constable for the area, with the lock-up - the first of its kind in a rural area on the island - built next door in 1875.

The two buildings were later combined into one home.

Culture Vannin chairman Chris Thomas MHK said the proposed redevelopment of the building was "both necessary maintenance and redesign to make the teaching and community facilities more accessible and useful".

The project would see the building become the first on the island to meet EnerPHit standards - a certification of the energy efficiency for buildings where there are constraints.

The organisation said meeting the grade would see the project retain the "character" of the building "while upgrading the building to modern standards".

The application has been formally submitted to the planning committee for consideration.