Sheltered housing plan to cut tenant waiting times

The proposals by Garff Commissioners would see the local authority's current offices replaced

Proposals for a new sheltered housing building in the east of the Isle of Man that would help to reduce the waiting times for new tenants are progressing, the local authority has said.

Garff Commissioners has proposed taking over the former Prince's Motors site to build additional accommodation for older residents in he village along with new offices for the authority.

The new complex would be in addition to the current Cooil Roi site on Glen Road, which has 34 properties, and would feature two bedroom apartments and other accessible features.

Julie Mattin who runs the existing complex said it was "heartbreaking" to tell people it may have to wait two years for sheltered housing.

She said the commissioners would fund the project partly through the government's deficiency programme, rental income and the sale of its current building, which it was hoped would see local rates left affected.

There were about 17 people currently on the waiting list for sheltered housing in the area, she said, and they did not want to move out of the area "if they don't have to".

"We put a call out for sites and that was the only site that came back," she said, adding that the local authority aimed to submit plan for the development soon.

The local authority was told at a recent public meeting a petition for land acquisition could now take place.