Four expressions of interest in developing the former marine laboratory in Port Erin – from leisure use to a new business incubator – have been received by the Department of Infrastructure.
Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly said: ‘I have met with several of those interested. There are certainly some interesting and creative and dynamic options have come forward. We hope to engage with each of them to discuss their proposals. There’s definitely marine/aquatic/leisure/educational also business interest as an incubator/accelerator, in a creative business environment. I have to stress these are just outline interests, there is nothing specific.’
He added: ‘The focus is on non-residential development. Something that will provide economic value for the Isle of Man. We would hope to go through the evaluation process by the end of the summer.’
The building was operated as a marine laboratory by Liverpool University until 2006.
After the department appealed for expressions of interest Sea Breezes publications was named as preferred developer and drew up detailed plans to turn it into a ‘marine interpretation centre’ housing various marine related activities.
Plans stalled when the publisher’s ‘in detail’ planning application was rejected because of the visual impact of car parking.
Mr Skelly said: ‘We are delighted there has been interest. We need something of value and that is viable. We are very conscious of the disrepair of the building and work rectifying that will be significant, as will be the funds required.
‘The interest has been from on and off island. There are a number of potential tenants who would be very interested in the site should it be developed, the prospect of it being mixed use would be very real should a developer come forward.
‘As a government, we want to view this as creatively as possible as an entire site.’