A former Lune Valley pub will go under the hammer this month for a minimum of £600,000.
The Dragon’s Head in Whittington, near Kirkby Lonsdale, opened as a public house in the 19th century but closed a decade ago.
Now it is on the market as a development opportunity and will be sold at auction on September 29.
The 1.65 acre village centre site includes the opportunity to convert the original public house and barn into housing and the erection of three terraced homes.
Planning permission is in place to change the pub into a detached five-bedroom home with off-street parking, outbuildings, double garage and garden.
An existing traditional stone barn in the grounds has permission for conversion into a three-bedroom house, also with off-street parking and garden. Planning permission has also been granted for the development of a terrace of three new four-bedroom homes on the site, each with its own parking and private garden.
H&H Land & Estates consultant director and chartered surveyor Colin Tomlinson said: “There has been a 50 per cent increase in the number of public houses becoming available for conversion to homes in the first half of 2023 alone.
“In some ways this is a trend the older generation will regret, but the demand for the old village pub is declining, and conversion offers these historic buildings a new lease of life as homes, often right in the heart of the village or local community.
“The Dragon’s Head closed as a public house in 2013, and attempts to revive it have all failed, but now the building itself will be saved and restored, and the site will offer new homes for five more families in this village, which will help to breathe new life into the community.
“This is a very rare opportunity for the sensitive redevelopment of a wonderful building and its site, and we expect enormous interest in its sale.”
With an overall guide price of £600,000 to £650,000, the Dragon’s Head is to be sold by public auction at Kendal Town Hall, Kendal on Friday September 29 at 2.30pm.
