Port Erin Commissioners’ plans to redevelop a historic beach-side cafe have been thwarted.

The historic Cosy Nook cafe has been added to the island’s Protected Buildings Register, along with the Mitre in Kirk Michael and the former Victorian pub, Trafalgar House in Douglas.

Last year Port Erin Commissioners had voted to demolish the former beachside cafe, and had submitted a planning application to replace it with a new ’Art-Deco’ style building, a move opposed by Rushen Heritage Trust (RHT).

RHT director Hugh Davison responded to the registration, saying: ’As far as RHT is concerned, and I think the majority of people in the Port Erin community, that is very good news, and we look forward to further steps.’

Mr Davison referenced an online poll of almost 1,000 people conducted by RHT, where he said about two-thirds of respondents were ’very much in favour of at least retaining a traditional frontage [for the cafe]’.

Being on the register (which includes around 250 buildings) means the buildings are now protected from demolition, or any alteration or extension that affects their character without first receiving registered building consent.

Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot MHK said: ’Our built environment plays an important role in our cultural and national identity and we are delighted to register these buildings and preserve them for future generations.

’Following consultation and investigation we believe they are all of special architectural or historical interest and add character to the island’s unique landscape.’

The Manx stone cottages known as the Cosy Nook had been run as a café before it closed in 2019, while Trafalgar House, on the South Quay, is currently for sale. It was converted from a pub into a residential property in 2010.

The Mitre is a working pub and parts of the building are believed to be have been built in the 16th century, making them around 500 years old.