Braddan’s Roundhouse: The Gift That Keeps on Billing

In the latest twist in the Braddan Roundhouse saga, ratepayers are on the hook for an additional £220,000 (and possibly more) to cover the cost of a dedicated access road to the already over-budget leisure facility.

This comes after a deal was struck last week to purchase land for the road at the bargain price of £250, though the road itself will come with a much heftier price tag.

Access to the Roundhouse has been a point of contention since the facility opened in January, with disagreements between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Braddan Parish Commissioners.

Originally, the project was budgeted at £6.5 million, but costs spiralled by an extra £3.4 million.

To make up for the shortfall, Braddan ratepayers were hit with the highest rates increase in the Isle of Man.

Now, as the dust settles on the land deal, ratepayers are being asked to dig even deeper into their pockets to fund the access road.

While the land itself was practically a giveaway, costing just £250, the road construction is estimated to set the parish back by £220,000—and the final bill could yet be even higher.

Braddan Commissioners’ chairman Andrew Jessopp shared his hopes, albeit cautiously, that the cost might be reduced.

He said: ‘The estimate is around £220,000, but we are still hoping we can bring that figure down’, he said.

‘But knowing the odds are always stacked against us, it could also be more.’

He also expressed his belief that the DHSC or Treasury should share the financial burden.

The road project had actually been granted planning consent in 2023, but financial constraints kept it from moving forward.

Initially, the Roundhouse was to be accessed through the hospital grounds, as promised in a 2016 letter from then DHSC Minister Howard Quayle. However, that plan hit a roadblock in December last year when the DHSC, citing safety concerns, pulled the plug on vehicle access through the hospital.

With no other options left, the Commissioners struck a deal with the Department of Infrastructure to purchase land for a dedicated access road, which will run from Ballaoates Road and is expected to be completed by the year-end.

In the meantime, Braddan’s ratepayers are still feeling the sting from this year’s rate hike, a whopping 36.6% increase, pushing rates from 257p in the pound to 351p.

All this to support a facility that, while impressive, has yet to fully open its doors.

So far, the Roundhouse boasts a soft play area, coffee shop (that’s currently not operational), sports hall, beauticians, art therapy space, and even a sensory hub. But for those waiting to hit the gym or pick up a prescription from the yet-to-open pharmacy, the wait continues.