Decision to convert Queen's Arms in Barrow into flats due next week

Members of Barrow’s Local Area Planning Committee will determine whether to give the go-ahead for developers to transform the empty former Queen’s Arms Pub off Rawlinson Street into a block of one-bedroom apartments.

Planning officers have recommended councillors refuse the application which was submitted by George Rowell of Westwise Developments Ltd.

In a report prepared for next Tuesday’s meeting, officers said the proposal was of a ‘generally uninspiring and bland design’.

“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,” officers 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 report added: “The development would fail to protect or enhance heritage assets and their setting and would replace a well-designed historic building on a prominent corner with a bland building that could appear incongruous and has the potential to cause harm to heritage assets due to development within their setting.

“No information has been put forward to justify that the less than substantial harm identified can be justified in the public interest.”

To the south of the proposed development are two rows of Grade II listed terraced cottages either side of the Rawlinson Street junction which were constructed 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.

Planners are also concerned of the impact of overcrowding on the quality of the accommodation.

A report prepared for the meeting states: “The proposal could have an adverse impact on the amenity of some potential occupants by virtue of poor lighting and outlook to habitable rooms and of adjacent residents due to perceived massing and overlooking.”

However it was recognised the development would provide necessary housing and improve the biodiversity of the area.

The report states: “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.”

Councillors will decide whether to give the application the green light on Tuesday (October 10) at Barrow Town Hall.