The demolition of Workington’s former Princess Hall is almost complete – and its new owner wants to build bungalows on the site.
Redacre Investments LLP wanted to demolish the Princess Street building and replace it with a two-storey building with retail space and apartments and three townhouses.
That application was turned down by the then Allerdale council in 2022, despite it being recommended for approval. However an appeal to the Government saw that decision overturned in July last year.
Councillors were concerned about highway safety, but the planning inspector said there would be no significant adverse impacts on Princess Street or Frazer Street and said the development could go ahead.
The ex-dance hall, which had also been used as a second hand furniture store and by the DVLA as a test centre, suffered a fire in July 2022 and work begun to strip the roof that September.
On March 28 this year, a planning application has been lodged with Cumberland council to demolish Princess Hall and build nine dormer bungalows on the site by Carlisle-based Cumbria Land Developments Limited.
In documents submitted as part of the application, agent JTS Architectural Services, said: “Our client purchased the land, approval and associated documents from the previous owner.
“The application seeks permission to demolish existing two-storey building which has been subject to vandalism and arson.
“Until recently purchased by our client the emergency services have been called out numerous times to extinguish fires.
“As a result of the trouble, it contributed to a town centre curfew for youths for a period of time. The site has now been secured with harass fencing to deter any further incidents.
“Demolition of the existing structure on site was commenced by the previous owner but not completed.”
The applicant said it had explored building houses on the site, but added: “We also looked at terraced options. In the end it was considered that nine spacious dormer bungalows was the preferred option.
“They would provide much needed futureproofed homes for locals who would like to stay in the town centre. By developing the brownfield site, it will provide bungalows with 1,194sq ft of internal floor space and 592sq ft of garden area.
“Previous application sought to create a new access from Frazer Street. This proposed scheme aims to keep the access all off Princess Street, and onsite parking and turning for vehicles, causing no disruption to Frazer Street.
“It was felt that creating any new access to Frazer Street would remove a number of current parking spaces that the houses on the street rely on to enable them to park their own vehicles near their homes.”
The application for the nine dormer bungalows is currently being considered by Cumberland Council.
