A developer has withdrawn an application to demolish an empty pub in Barrow and build 21 flats after planning officers recommended it to be refused.
Following withdrawing the application, the developer said it was disappointed with the decision and it would submit a new application.
A spokesman said: “Our application was only submitted after lengthy consultations with council planning officers, during which the officers were shown detailed plans of the proposed new building, so for the officers to recommend refusal on design grounds without recourse for us to respond to new concerns was very surprising and disappointing.
“Nonetheless, we take what the officers said about the design very seriously so we chose to withdraw the application in order to look at their comments closely with a view to bringing forward a new application promptly so that this important site can start to make a positive contribution to the area once again as soon as possible.”
In a report prepared by planning officers concerns were raised over the impact of the design on the heritage of the area.
To the south of the proposed development are two rows of Grade II listed terraced cottages either side of the Rawlinson Street junction, built by the Furness Railway Company in 1846 to house their workers. To the west is St George’s School which is also Grade II listed with the oldest part dating from 1849.
“It fails to sensitively acknowledge adjacent heritage assets and their setting or to preserve or enhance the historic environment or to take into account key vistas, viewpoints and characteristics to achieve a sense of place,” the report said.
“The design seems to be predominantly based on numbers in trying to squeeze into the site as many units as possible.
“It is neither a building of its time or a building which takes cues from the past; the mixture of arched windows, Juliette balconies, projecting bays, stone, brick and render and varying roof pitches results in a building that runs the risk of appearing incongruous and lacks any sense of place.”
The Queens Arms opened in 1853 and changed many times over the years – becoming a popular live music venue before its closure in 2008. The site is now described as being in a deteriorating condition.
Planning officers recognised the development would provide necessary housing and improve the biodiversity of the area.
The report stated: “The proposal involves the provision of 21 self-contained units for private rent and this would help in meeting the council’s housing targets and can be given moderate weight.
“In addition, there are modest gains proposed in terms of biodiversity, green infrastructure and open space and the proposal includes some energy efficiency measures which again can be given modest weight.
“The site is also in a sustainable location with good access to a range of services and where the lack of car parking can be justified in terms of access to sustainable travel.”
