Castletown Golf Links Hotel

Summary

The request sought correspondence regarding the Castletown Golf Links Hotel demolition between DEFA and Langness Golf Course Limited from 2022 to 2026. The authority released partial information, including a detailed email from February 2026 outlining environmental precautions for bats, runoff management, and sewage investigations, while redacting specific sections.

Key Facts

• Demolition of the Castletown Golf Links Hotel is planned for early 2026.
• DEFA advised that the timing is suboptimal for bats due to hibernation potential in the cold building.
• Specific protocols were provided for handling bats found during soft demolition, including emergency contact numbers.
• Recommendations include monitoring runoff from a steep road to prevent sediment and pollutants entering the sea.
• An investigation into potential raw sewage outfalls from the hotel and golf club buildings was requested.

Data Disclosed

• 02 February 2026
• 15 January 2026
• 1st January 2022
• 31st January 2026
• 651577
• 431301
• 366177
• 685885
• 685535
• 298053
• 685884
• 300525
• 685963
• 83 pages
• 2 documents

Original Request

All correspondence between the Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture and Langness Golf Course Limited for the period 1st January 2022 to 31st January 2026 that mentions the former Castletown Golf Links Hotel.

Data Tables (24)

Full Response Text

1 From: Costain, Sophie (DEFA) Sent: 02 February 2026 09:53 To: ; @ccjgroup.co.uk; Cc: ; ; Duncan, Peter; McIntosh, Danielle Subject: Castletown Golf Links Hotel Attachments: Image.jpeg; Derbyhaven WGS84 300725_4.pdf Good morning

Thank you very much for meeting with us Friday morning to discuss the forthcoming demolition. We certainly found it very useful.

As we were leaving, Peter and I looked at the steep-ish road leading down towards the road and gulley (image attached), which has the potential to concentrate water, sediment and pollutants into the sea. So we recommend monitoring of that route and management of run-off as appropriate.

Bats
Just to reinforce the fact that now is really not the ideal demolition time from a bat perspective because of the building’s hibernation potential (cold building, with lots of entry points and areas for roosting). Though bats are usually associated with roof spaces, they will take opportunities in other areas and so could be present throughout the building where there are suitable spaces. For example Lesser Horseshoe bat often hang up at or below ground level if there is a suitable perch. So please make sure to be careful and make checks for bats throughout. I appreciate the difficulty with this given that you can’t walk through the building to check so soft demolition practises will be key. Careful stripping of the roof (ideally by hand or with hand held tools), checking underneath roofing materials to see if bats are present before the materials are discarded, looking within cavity walls, around wooden beams, and inside rooms with torches as they are exposed, for bats and signs of bat, such as droppings or accumulations of moth wings. Should you come across any bat evidence then please contact me, and adhere to the following steps should bats be encountered.

Bat in immediate danger  Stop work, put gloves and a mask on, place bat in a box with a lid and air holes, or a safe place, call DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team 651577/431301 or the Manx Bat Group 366177. In very rare incidences, some species of bats have been recorded carrying rabies viruses called European Bat Lyssaviruses. If handling is absolutely essential to move bats away from harm, gloves must be worn; rabies could be passed on through a bat bite. Face coverings must be worn as there is a risk of people spreading Covid to bats.

Bat not in immediate danger  Stop work, call DEFA Ecosystem Policy Team 651577 or 431301, or the Manx Bat Group 366177 who will advise how to proceed.

I have a couple of emergency bat boxes here and I think it’s best if I drop them off later today, so you can put them up before the demolition starts. A north facing wall would be best, I can speak to the golf links staff about putting them on the clubhouse. These can always be taken down after the demolition as long as bats are not present inside.

Runoff  Attached is the latest map of the two eelgrass sites in the area: 1) Fort Island gulley (immediately north-east of the hotel) and 2) Derbyhaven Bay north of the little jetty across the road.
REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED 2

 As discussed, we recommend keeping materials in covered skips, containing stone within the sunken around to the east of the hotel and maintaining the vegetation between the building and the sea to significantly help reduce runoff, sediment etc. entering the sea. If required, measures such as sedimats can be put in at a later date if required.

 Investigate and report back on the potential raw sewage outfall from the hotel/gold club buildings. Dani said she would have a look from the EPU end, and any discharge permit. That might be something that requires future attention, e.g. from the Marine Nature Reserve perspective.

 Noting lessons from the Port Erin Marine Lab demolition, and the potential for relic oil tanks and pipeworks, and also polystyrene insulation etc. – agreed to take a precautionary approach to likely areas.

 Please check regularly for litter and collect and dispose of it appropriately as and when found.

Contacts Environmental Protection Unit  EPU Water – 685885  EPU Waste - 685535  Dani – 298053

Fisheries (Marine) Peter – 685884/300525

Ecosystem Policy (ASSI, bats, birds and other terrestrial wildlife)
Sophie –685963/431301 Ecopolicy - 651577

Please keep in touch, and remember we’d be happy to go back to site to review specific aspects as the demolition progresses.

Best wishes

Sophie Costain (she/her) (Miss) Ecosystem Policy Officer

Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St Johns, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Website: www.gov.im/defa Tel +44 (0)1624 685963 | Mob +44 (0)7624 431301 | Email sophie.costain@gov.im
Ecosystem Policy Team Tel +44 (0)1624 651577 | Email ecopolicy@gov.im
DEFA - working for a clean, safe, healthy, attractive and vibrant environment which will be enjoyed by present and future generations alike.

Our Island, Our Environment, Our Future.

Working Together for a Sustainable Future Gobbragh Cooidjagh Son Traa Ry-Heet Shassooagh

1 From: Costain, Sophie (DEFA) Sent: 15 January 2026 10:07 To: Cc: ; Duncan, Peter; McIntosh, Danielle; Milne, Ken (DEFA); Selman, Richard; Thomas, Aline Subject: Demolition of the Castletown Golf links Hotel. Attachments: Health and Safety Plan Issue 1.pdf; 20250902 Derbyhaven Waste Letter.pdf Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Completed Good morning Mr

The Department received the demolition notice for the Golf Links Hotel from Building Control earlier this week, so we are now taking the opportunity to re-engage with you to see how you are progressing with your demolition plans.

Back in August/September last year you sent us the attached Health and Safety Plan and we responded with the attached letter. There are a few points that need resolving prior to demolition taking place relating to construction waste and runoff. The H&S plan you submitted had a number of missing appendices which may, once complete, contain answers to our questions. Are you in a position to share an updated plan with appendices now?

I understand that you are keen to get on with the demolition for health and safety reasons, but we must ensure that the environment is protected throughout. There are several DEFA Officers with relevant responsibilities who are keen to engage to get the best outcomes for all. As such DEFA would appreciate a progress and planning meeting in the very near future. If you could please get back to me with your availability then I will organise a meeting. An on-site meeting may be most appropriate.

Best wishes

Sophie Costain (she/her) (Miss) Ecosystem Policy Officer

Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St Johns, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Website: www.gov.im/defa Tel +44 (0)1624 685963 | Mob +44 (0)7624 431301 | Email sophie.costain@gov.im
Ecosystem Policy Team Tel +44 (0)1624 651577 | Email ecopolicy@gov.im
DEFA - working for a clean, safe, healthy, attractive and vibrant environment which will be enjoyed by present and future generations alike.

Our Island, Our Environment, Our Future.

Working Together for a Sustainable Future Gobbragh Cooidjagh Son Traa Ry-Heet Shassooagh

REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED

Langness Golf Course Limited Former Golf Links Hotel Demolition

3 CCJ Group Limited

1.1. Description of the Project

The project consists of the complete demolition of the former Castletown Golf Links Hotel, located on Fort Island Road, Langness, Castletown.

The hotel is a large, derelict late-Victorian structure built of loadbearing masonry, timber floors, and pitched slate roofs.

The site is within an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), requiring strict environmental controls.

The works will be undertaken under the Isle of Man CDM Regulations 2003, placing legal duties on the client, Planning Supervisor, and Principal Contractor.

The contract also has non licensed asbestos removal as park of our works, this is mainly asbestos cement soffits. The site will be operated with an open attitude to safety; the works will be planned, and regular briefings and updates will be undertaken by the site team. The site is partly hoarded which will offer protection to the public during our demolition operations, coupled with mesh fence with debris netting for protection of the surrounding environment. 1.1.1. The Client

Langness Golf Course Limited, Global Yellow Building, The Parade, Castletown, IM9 1LG

1.1.2. Description of the Works

The demolition of the former Golf Links Hotel represents a significant and complex operation, both in terms of engineering and environmental management.

The building, a large derelict late-Victorian hotel structure with later 20th-century extensions, has been vacant since 2007 and has deteriorated substantially.

Langness Golf Course Limited Former Golf Links Hotel Demolition

4 CCJ Group Limited

Its location on the Langness Peninsula presents unique challenges: it sits within an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), lies immediately adjacent to the operational Castletown Golf Links and clubhouse, and is in close proximity to Ronaldsway Airport. In addition, a live Manx Utilities substation is located within the footprint of the structure, requiring careful planning and staged isolation before demolition can proceed.

The works are therefore governed not only by standard demolition practice as set out in BS 6187:2011 Code of Practice for Demolition and HSE guidance (HSG150, HSG168), but also by heightened requirements for stakeholder liaison, environmental protection, and public interface management under the Isle of Man CDM Regulations 2003.

1. Scope of Works The scope encompasses the complete demolition and clearance of the Golf Links Hotel complex down to slab level, with removal of substructures and grading of the site for safe handover to the client. Key elements of the works are:

2. Pre-Construction Planning and Liaison o A four-week period has been allocated to statutory submissions, including the application for a Demolition Direction from Isle of Man Planning. o Liaison with Manx Utilities to programme the relocation and isolation of the live electrical substation, requiring a minimum of three weeks’ notice. o Engagement with Ronaldsway Airport Operations (Tony Woods) to agree controls for plant, dust suppression, and emergency communication. o Coordination with DEFA Ecology and Heritage Officers regarding ASSI protections and archaeological watching briefs.

3. Site Establishment o Installation of 2.4m solid hoarding around the site perimeter, supplemented by Heras fencing with debris netting to contain dust and debris. o Creation of a secure site compound with welfare facilities, offices, first aid, and fire points. o Signage to include Danger Demolition, PPE Requirements, and Restricted Access. o Establishment of muster points and emergency access routes.

Langness Golf Course Limited Former Golf Links Hotel Demolition

5 CCJ Group Limited

1. Service Disconnections o Isolation of water, telecoms, and other utilities. o Formal MUA substation move and de-energisation, supported by permits-to- work. o CAT & Genny survey and permit-to-dig system for remaining buried services. o

2. Asbestos Removal o Asbestos cement soffits identified in surveys to be removed under Non- Licensed Work (NNLW) procedures. o Operatives trained in UKATA asbestos awareness and supervised by a competent asbestos supervisor. o Removal under controlled conditions, damped down, double-bagged, labelled, and consigned to Wright’s Pit North licensed facility. o Air monitoring is not required but clearance certification prior to further demolition will be created.

3. Soft Strip Works o Removal of all non-structural fixtures and fittings including partitions, suspended ceilings, doors, windows, and furniture remnants. o Stripping back to bare structural frame, using hand tools where possible to limit vibration and noise. o Waste segregated at source: metals, timber, plasterboard, and mixed construction waste.

4. Structural Demolition o Conducted sequentially from roof level downward, in line with BS 6187 best practice. o Removal of roof coverings and trusses, followed by floor slabs and loadbearing walls. o Controlled collapse prevented by systematic dismantling. o Plant deployed includes:  JCB 220X Demolition Spec with grabs and shears.  Case CX80C Demolition Spec for confined/precision work.  Case 210 for clearance and bulk handling. o Operated by trained, competent drivers under constant supervision.

Langness Golf Course Limited Former Golf Links Hotel Demolition

6 CCJ Group Limited

1. Substructure Removal o Breaking out of slabs, foundations, service ducts, and pool/kitchen areas. o Removal of potential contaminants, including historic fuel tank bases. o Backfilling and grading to produce a safe, level surface.

2. Waste Management o Segregation of materials at source to maximise recycling rates. o Concrete and masonry crushed and reused as aggregate where possible. o Metals recycled via licensed IoM facilities. o Asbestos and hazardous waste consigned with full consignment notes. o Skips and hook-lift wagons operated under a strict Traffic Management Plan.

3. Traffic Management & Derbyhaven Transit Routes o The only viable access route for demolition traffic is via Derbyhaven village along Fort Island Road. o This route is narrow, residential, and environmentally sensitive, requiring:  Convoy speeds limited to 20mph.  Use of banksmen for all HGV manoeuvres.  Advance resident liaison letters advising of delivery windows.  Timed movements to avoid peak hours and school traffic.  Wheel wash facilities to prevent debris tracking onto Derbyhaven Bay road surfaces. o Emergency access routes will be maintained at all times.

4. Environmental & ASSI Protections o The site sits within the Langness, Derbyhaven & Sandwick ASSI, necessitating stringent controls:  Dust suppression through water misting cannons, with continuous monitoring.  Noise control via silenced plant, restricted working hours, and monitoring.  Vibration monitoring during heavy demolition to protect nearby structures.  Ecological watching brief, including nesting bird surveys and bat protection.  Spill kits and containment measures to prevent contamination of coastal waters.

Langness Golf Course Limited Former Golf Links Hotel Demolition

7 CCJ Group Limited

o Archaeological monitoring to safeguard against potential heritage finds, with stop-work protocols in place.

1. Retention of

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