Multi-million-pound plans to transform a former South Cumbrian police station to provide homes, offices, restaurant and boutique accommodation in jail cells have been given the go-ahead.
Members of South Lakeland local area planning committee for Westmorland and Furness Council gave approval to plans from Building Design Northern (BDN) to redevelop the Old Police Station and Courthouse on Neville Street in Ulverston at a meeting today, Thursday December 21.
Proposals include housing commercial office space in the disused police station as well as beds in the jail cells.
The superintendent’s quarters, which were demolished prior to BDN’s purchase of the site, will also house further serviced accommodation, each apartment with its own en suite and kitchenette space.
Councillor Doug Rathbone (Kendal South, Lib Dems), said: “The benefit of the plan as outlined, and the conditions put on it, outweigh the low level of detriment to the site as a whole.
“It’s a very useful way to use a brownfield site that has been neglected for a long time and is an eyesore.”
The former courthouse will incorporate a new restaurant pavilion with a surrounding courtyard of former garages converted into commercial space that is expected to attract a range of retail businesses.
Three one and two-bedroom homes are also detailed in plans, replacing former MOT garages, and they will be centred around a communal space designed to foster a sense of community among residents.
BDN will relocate its Ulverston office to the Police Station with a communal kitchen, meeting room and desk space proposed.
Joe Warner, director of architecture and head of BDN’s Ulverston office, said: “The reaction to our plans earlier this year has been great, so we are pleased to have secured planning permission to bring our proposals to fruition.
“We have worked proactively with the planning and conservation team at Westmorland and Furness Council, who have recognised the rigorous design process and the many positives of the scheme.
“As a team of local residents, we are proud to be pioneering a development which will transform a key Ulverston landmark and are excited to get started to transform the historic site into a destination for the local community to enjoy.”
The buildings was vacated by the police in 2015 and has remained unoccupied since.
According to the report prepared for the committee, Ulverston Civic Society said: “We feel the quality of design and repairs to be undertaken reverse much of the damage that has been allowed to take place.
“This is a very visual site to the conservation area and main approach into the town and we feel these plans will transform the very depressing feel this site currently projects.”
Councillor Judy Filmore (Ulverston, Green Party) added she valued that the building materials are going to be kept as much as possible as the buildings were unique, despite not being listed.
The council received four letters of representation from residents which were overall in support of the scheme but raised concerns over the potential noise produced from the development.
The report says the council have carried out noise assessments on the potential noise impact of the development and it states conditions are proposed controlling the opening times of the commercial uses of the site to ensure there were no detrimental impacts.
Work will start on the redevelopment of the site in 2024.
