A bid to build a museum and visitors’ centre on the site of the former RNAD depot at Broughton Moor will go before planners for a second time.
The museum, which would highlight the site’s history, has been proposed by Derwent Forest Development Consortium Ltd, as part of its wider plans to regenerate the North West’s largest brownfield site – known locally as the dump.
It was recommended for approval when it went before Allerdale council’s development panel last month, but Councillor Janet Farebrother put forward a motion to defer the decision until a site visit was carried out and the applicant presents its masterplan for the site.
Derwent Forest Development Consortium hopes that the proposal is the first step to public access of the site which is currently fenced off.
A planning application submitted by the consortium to build 71 homes was refused by the panel in March. Councillors were concerned that the development did not fit in with the vision for the site and that development at Derwent Forest is being done in a piecemeal way.
The development panel will look again at the consortium’s proposal for a museum at the site on Tuesday.
Councillors will visit the Derwent Forest site before the meeting and the consortium will give a presentation on its wider ambitions for the site.
If approved, the consortium will build a modern two-storey flat roof building with a reception area, shop, café and learning area.
The educational aspect of the museum/visitor centre will cover the site’s history serving both the Royal Navy and the mining industry.
Derwent Forest Development Consortium has made amendments to the plans, removing plans for a 14 metre observation tower from the design.
Broughton Parish Council has objected to the scheme due to its possible impact on traffic and added that the development was premature until there was safe access to the site.
Broughton Parish Council wants the developer to sign an agreement which would help bring benefits to the wider area and Seaton Parish Council has not objected.
The highways authority has not objected and Allerdale council has received one letter of objection from a member of the public.
Allerdale councillors have once again recommended approval for the scheme.
