Plans for a four-storey block of flats have been given the go-ahead for an ‘eyesore’ Barrow site.
Hello Property Group & Leigh West Property Holdings wants to create the block of eight flats on the corner of Abbey Road and Dalkeith Street in Barrow town centre.
The land has been vacant since 2005.
Members of the Barrow local area planning committee agreed to pass the plans at a meeting yesterday, Tuesday April 28.
Council planning officers said the site had been untidy for many years and that other applications to build there had been put forward over the years but were never built.
The plans feature a central staircase behind glass to access flats either side.
There had been no objections to the proposals.
Councillor Frank Cassidy (Walney) said: “In broad terms, I welcome this, it looks great. It has looked terrible, that corner, for far too long.
“I think the design looks terrific and we need more accommodation in the town.”
He asked how affordable the housing would be.
Officer said affordable housing requirements were triggered when there were 10 units so as this was for eight, it did not apply.
Conservative councillor Les Hall (Hawcoat and Newbarns) asked about bin storage and was told there was dedicated storage built into the building.
Vice-chair Labour councillor Bill McEwan, who chaired the meeting, added: “It goes back a long time, this. We passed this years ago, and I am talking years ago, for a similar building to go in this space.”
He described the site as an ‘eyesore’ and praised the development.
The proposals were passed unanimously by councillors.
