Proposals for the demolition of the former Workington Opera House have cleared a planning milestone.
Allerdale Borough Council has determined that the proposals for the demolition of Workington’s former Opera House, which has long been vacant and is now in a poor state of repair, are sufficient for the project to proceed.
It has issued a determination that “prior approval of the method of demolition and/or site restoration works are not required”, and as such, the demolition proposals submitted by Trows Lane Developments can proceed, subject to any other “consents or notifications required”.
The building is described in the application for permission to demolish the former Opera House as being in a poor state of repair, and not having a viable use.
“The site, once demolished and cleared can be used for more appropriate and better uses within the town centre location,” the application adds.
It is planned that Tiffin Lane and Ladies Walk will be temporarily closed in order to allow for the dismantling of the superstructure of the building.
Demolition materials will be removed via the Uldale Street service yard area.
The former Opera House is not listed, nor does it fall within a Conservation Area. In considering the submitted application, Allerdale Borough Council planning officers were unequivocal about the worth of the building.
“It is a brooding, overbearing, incongruous mass of no architectural or historic merit,” read the report from the authority’s planning department on the application, adding that the building is gutted internally, and that the external walls of the auditorium were always bland.
The report also noted that building currently gives rise to substantial harm to the setting of the old tower brewery, a listed building which adjoins it.
“The replacement with an open site surrounded by a simple timber fence will enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area and the setting of the listed building,” the report adds.
Funding for the demolition of the vacant building, as well as the redevelopment of the site was provided to Allerdale Borough Council late last year as part of an accelerated delivery of a portion of the Towns Fund, a £3.6bn Government investment pot being provided to 100 towns and small cities across England.
£750,000 was apportioned to Workington in order to help kick-start the town’s economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was revealed earlier this month that Workington had secured £23m in funding from the Government’s Towns Fund scheme, set to finance a range of ambitious projects designed to promote economic development in the town.
Workington MP, Conservative Mark Jenkinson, recently welcomed the news that funding had been secured for the demolition of the former Workington Opera House.
He said that he had long supported proposals to demolish the building, describing it as a prime site in Workington town centre.
“It will vastly improve the appearance of that area of town, creating a better environment for those living and working close by, he said.
“I would like to see it replaced by something more fitting and I look forward to seeing plans for this in due course.”
