PLANS to provide ‘easier access’ to a grade II* listed building in south Cumbria have been given the green light.

Westmorland and Furness Council has granted listed building consent to carry out a variety of works at Swarthmoor Hall in Ulverston.

Plans include the construction of a new garden wall, a gate replacement, new paving, cycle parking and the enlargement of the existing seating area.

The heritage statement says: “Providing easier access will be a positive impact on the property and provide a more positive experience for visitors, therefore overall the improvements will have a positive impact on the site and the community.”

According to planning documents the proposed new paving will ‘improve the accessibility of the site for all abilities.

Plans state: “Currently to access from the shop / office or car park, to the café, you need to leave the fairly new paved areas and negotiate across some loose gravel, which isn’t great for wheel chair bound and other less abled visitors.”

The proposed paving will be a mix of brick and sett paving to match the
existing adjacent surfaces. It will be free draining or will drain to free
draining material to the perimeter, according to the heritage statement.

Planning documents add the existing gate to the site is ‘not believed’ to be the original gate and therefore it is proposed to replace it with something more in keeping with the character of the hall and gardens.

The hall is a grade II* listed historic house surrounded by gardens and the grounds are two miles from the coast.

The heritage statement adds the paths used to visit the different gardens ‘do not flow and lack provision of access for all’.

It states: “It is proposed to extend the existing limestone gravel paths, providing access to three areas from within the wildflower garden.

“This will provide a much better visitor experience for all, not only less abled and wheelchair bound visitors.”

Westmorland and Furness Council granted listed building consent on May 10.