Plans for a multi-million-pound outdoor centre on Walney has been given the thumbs-up by Barrow councillors.
The proposal for 33,000 sq metres of land off West Shore Road, to the east of Earnse Bay, still needs to be put to the Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove – but this latest development marks a significant step forward.
The centre would be accompanied by an ‘urban park’ supporting sports and other leisure activities.
Part of the building would be a community centre featuring a village hall, café and shop and would be delivered by Cumbria County Council, according to planning documents.
The other section would be an environmental education centre ‘focusing on outdoor and beach activities’ and would be delivered by Natural England. It would include school rooms, an office and a garage and workshop.
The outdoor space would include a rounders pitch, ‘community gardens and growing space’, and camping facilities.
Bill McEwan was the sole councillor to comment on the scheme at a meeting of Barrow Borough Council’s planning committee.
He said: “It benefits everybody, and all down Walney [and] outside interests. It’s a great thing that’s coming.”
Planning officer Charles Wilton told the committee meeting that Sport England had lodged an objection to the proposal. This is on account of the would-be scheme resulting in the loss of land used as a playing field within the last five years.
He said the committee was prevented from granting planning permission, but could say it was ‘minded to approve’ the scheme.
It will now be referred to the Secretary of State and providing he does not intervene, it will be sent to the borough council’s head of development management for a final decision.
Some concerns about the proposal have been expressed, however. Sheila Stephenson, who lives at the West Shore Park estate on Walney, said after the meeting that the outdoor centre ‘could be abused’ by the people using it.
She said: “I’m not against it. But I think the money should be spent making sure that it’s going to be policed 24-7, because they are going to have tents on it.
“All hell could break loose and it could end up a white elephant. Who’s going to be on there to make sure they don’t have fires?”
Mrs Stephenson expressed reservations about parking, with a car park next to the site set to account for the majority of provision. She added: “Do you know, at the weekends, that’s already full? Where else are they going to park – in the streets nearby?”
