Council to sell four storey block of former flats

The 56 apartment development on Lord Street was built in the 1930s

A four storey block of flats in the centre of the Isle of Man's capital formerly used as local authority housing is to be sold on the open market.

Built in the 1930s, Douglas Council's 56-unit Lord Street development was boarded up in 2022 after tenants were moved to a more modern building on Peel Road.

Chairman of the Housing and Property Committee Devon Watson said the former flats were "no longer suitable" due to a "lack of modern day facilities".

Proceeds from the sale would be re-invested into future housing projects as well as the maintenance and refurbishment of existing properties, he said.

Tenants moved into the Peel Road development in 2022

The building on Lord Street is split into four blocks joined to a communal yard.

Watson said the facility did not have lift access, parking, or a secure entrance, and while the flats had "served Douglas well", it was they were some of the "more outdated" apartments in the council's estate.

The authority has increased its housing stock with the completion of the 66-apartment development in 2022, and planning approval was also granted that year for the creation of 48 two bedroom flats in Willaston.

The authority was committed to provide "quality, efficient and affordable homes" and the team was "dedicated to improving living standards", Watson added.

Council leader Claire Wells said it was an "obvious step to take" for the authority and offered an opportunity for investors to "regenerate a prominent area of Lower Douglas".