Thie Slieau Whallian

The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry is on target to move to the purpose built ‘Thie Slieau Whallian’ corporate headquarters at the end of March 2010. The move is driven by the Department’s intention to centralise its six divisions into a single building at the St John’s site.

Thie Slieau Whallian has been awarded the highest rating of excellence possible under BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), in terms of its sustainable design and environmental performance. The building is the first, and presently the only, building in the Isle of Man to achieve such a rating.

The new headquarters has been designed to maximise natural ventilation and day light, aided by a central atrium and overhanging eaves to reduce overheating. The use of timber from responsibly managed and renewable sources is extensive, since timber is considered to be one of the most sustainable building materials available. All walls, roof and floors are suitably insulated and the building is heated by a biomass boiler, fuelled using woodchips and sawdust produced by the adjacent Sawmill.

The Department's new address from the end of March will be Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St Johns IM4 3AS