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Nautical Museum in Castletown put forward for registered status

Sat, 08 May 2021

An 18th century building which housed a famous armed schooner has been put forward for registered status.

It means the Nautical Museum in Castletown would be protected from demolition if the application is approved.

The boathouse was the original home of the Peggy, a yacht built for prominent Manx politician and banker George Quayle.

Manx National Heritage is currently the custodian of the Nautical Museum, which dates from 1789 and was initially constructed as a boathouse, dock and stable dock.

However, since 1950, it has been used as a museum with the Peggy featuring as its main attraction.

That exhibit has been absent from the historic building for the last five years, after MNH moved it to a business park in Braddan for conservation work.

A campaign has gathered pace in recent weeks to return the boat to what some call its ‘original home’, although others said the ‘appalling conditions’ in the Nautical Museum meant it was right the ship had been removed.

If the George Quayle buildings on Bridge Street are successfully entered onto the Protected Buildings Register, it would restrict any future planning proposals.

Demolition would be prohibited and any alterations or extensions of the building would require written consent before work could go ahead.

The Nautical Museum is among around 30 sites which have recently been nominated for registered status.
In April, the government minister responsible for planning applications, Geoffrey Boot, said more buildings would be granted protection before September’s general election.

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