THE developers behind plans to knock down a derelict Barrow pub and construct an apartment block in its place said keeping the original building would be ‘economically unviable’.

Westwise Development Ltd has submitted proposals to Westmorland and Furness Council to demolish the former Queens Arms pub on Rawlinson Street and construct a three-storey 21-unit apartment block.

According to planning documents, the proposed apartment block would consist of 18 one-bedroom flats and three two-bedroom flats.

READ MORE: Developer lodges new plans to demolish empty Queens Arms pub in Barrow

Objectors said the building was part of Barrow’s heritage and should not be knocked down, with one stating: “The brilliant red architecture is from a time when Barrow was the powerhouse of the world.”

In response, a spokesperson for the applicant’s agent, Acer Town Planning, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service preserving the existing building was ‘simply not a practical option’.

The spokesperson said: “The applicant bought the property in 2015 with planning permission in place for a residential conversion of the existing pub. Initially, it was hoped that this scheme could go ahead.

“But after extensive consideration, including obtaining reports from quantity surveyors and valuers, it was found that neither this scheme, nor any other scheme to preserve the existing building, was economically viable.

“The basic problem was that the construction costs would exceed the end value of the property, so it was impossible to raise the necessary finance.”

The Queens Arms opened in 1853 and changed many times over the years – becoming a popular live music venue before its closure in 2008.

READ MORE: Objectors oppose plans to demolish derelict Barrow pub

Objectors to the scheme have also raised concerns regarding a lack of parking in the proposals with one resident stating ‘there is no room’ for on-street parking currently for local residents.

According to the developer the proposed scheme contains two dedicated on-street parking spaces and a secure cycle store.

The spokesperson for Acer Town Planning said: “The site is in a highly sustainable urban location and there has been no objection by the local Highway Authority to the level of provision proposed.

“Planning officers have also previously noted that if the property were to re-open as a public house with letting rooms there would also be a parking demand and this, alongside other uses that could take place through permitted development, would be likely to generate more parking demand than the proposed use.”

READ MORE: Developer withdraws plans to demolish empty Barrow pub Queens Arms

Plans for the apartment block were previously withdrawn in October 2023 after a report by planning officers to the Barrow in Furness local area planning committee recommended councillors to refuse the scheme as the proposal was of a ‘generally uninspiring and bland design’.

A design and access statement submitted with the new planning application says amendments have been made to improve the design and impact on heritage assets.

Among changes include private outdoor space for some flats, ‘high quality’ brickwork on Rawlinson Street and the use of local red sandstone on parts of the building.

According to planning documents, the height of the proposed apartment block would be no higher than the existing building.

The planning application is currently undergoing public consultation.