Zach Harrison

Ashall Projects Limited has applied to refurbish and reopen Barrow’s Grade II listed Majestic Hotel, which has been vacant for two years and is reportedly in poor repair. The plans include replacing 12 windows, installing new signage and a lift, making modest ground-floor layout changes, and converting the property into a Garner Hotel under the IHG brand. The hotel would complement the nearby Holiday Inn Express and include longer-stay rooms with kitchenettes, subject to council approval.

A replacement for Barrow's Forum theatre is unlikely to be built until the 2030s, and no definite commitment has yet been made. Westmorland and Furness Council plans enabling demolition works toward the end of the year, with demolition beginning by early 2028 and construction of the wider replacement market-hall scheme beginning in late 2028 or early 2029, for completion by 2035. Team Barrow continues to support the shared ambition of a replacement theatre, potentially operated through an alternative model such as a charitable trust, while temporary facilities are expected to last five years. A masterplan will be presented for public feedback at an engagement event in October.

Ellie Reynolds is standing as Reform UK’s candidate in the Ormsgill ward by-election for Barrow Town Council, triggered by former councillor Chris Altree’s resignation. Reynolds says her priorities are safer streets, a zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour and crime, improved public spaces and a fairer share of local resources. She also highlights her campaigning for survivors of grooming gangs and has been endorsed by Reform leader Nigel Farage. Conservative candidate John McDonnell and Labour candidate Lucy Belbin are also contesting the seat, with polling scheduled for August 27.

Grange Town Council has received approval from Westmorland and Furness Council to remove a 1960s timber-and-glass partition from an upstairs room at the Grade II listed Victoria Hall. The council says the partition makes the space unusable and that removing it will provide a larger room for meetings, classes and events. Repairs will address damage to Victorian coving, skirting boards and picture rails, while a conservation officer concluded that the work would reveal historic details, improve accessibility and have a positive impact on the building.

Holker Homes has submitted outline plans for 370 homes on farmland and pasture near Rakesmoor Lane in Hawcoat, Barrow-in-Furness. Thirty-eight resident responses and several agency submissions raised concerns about traffic, road capacity, wildlife, loss of greenfield land and pressure on schools, healthcare and other infrastructure. Barrow Town Council said the proposed road improvements were insufficient, while Sport England requested safeguards against ball-strike and sporting conflicts. The local NHS integrated care board sought £287,712 for additional clinical rooms at Norwood Medical Centre to address the development's expected impact on GP services. The developer maintains that the scheme would be accessible by multiple transport modes and would not have a severe effect on the highway network.

Westmorland and Furness Council took almost two years to install a permanent warning sign at the Roa Island jetty after cocker spaniel Bodie was swept into the water in 2024. Councillor Paul Griffiths repeatedly pursued the measure, warning that the busy jetty used for ferries to Piel Island could pose risks to dogs and children. The council has now confirmed that the sign has been made and plans to install it after a contractor’s site visit, potentially by the end of the following week.

Local political figures debate whether decision-making powers should return to Barrow, with Michelle Scrogham urging a shift from Kendal’s authority to better support local regeneration efforts. Conservative councillor Matt Brereton rejects the idea as a political manoeuvre and calls for more collaboration and business involvement. Reform UK criticises Scrogham for supporting the earlier transition to unitary governance and argues that Barrow should regain self-governance due to a disconnect with Kendal. Labour councillor Beverly Morgan supports decentralisation, citing inequalities in resource distribution and a lack of understanding of Furness’ needs under the current structure.

Westmorland and Furness Council confirmed that the Nan Tait Centre in Barrow is among ten assets proposed to be declared surplus, triggering a review under its disposal policy. Options include reassignment to other council services, transfer to community organisations, or eventual open market sale. Discussions have begun with local groups currently based in the Grade II listed building. Additional sites across Barrow, Furness and the wider council area are also identified for potential disposal.

Councillors supported Westmorland and Furness Council’s enforcement action requiring residents on Ann Street and Buccleuch Street to remove plant pots and other items obstructing footways. Highways officers cited restricted pedestrian access, vehicle parking on pavements and garden sheds in backstreets as key issues. Members raised questions on legality, accessibility and enforcement powers, with most agreeing action was justified. The committee backed exploring warning letters before formal enforcement.

Public consultation results led Westmorland and Furness Council to drop proposed 20mph zones outside four Barrow schools due to insufficient support. Clear backing was recorded for limits outside several other schools, including Holy Roman Catholic School and Ormsgill Nursery and Primary School. An amended 20mph zone was approved for St Bernard’s RC High School to include Crosslands Park Road. Requests for additional measures such as extended zones and flashing signs were rejected as inconsistent with Department for Transport guidance.

A new pottery studio and wine bar called The Kiln House is seeking an alcohol licence from Westmorland and Furness Council to operate in Ambleside. The owners propose selling alcohol between late morning and evening through most of the week and offering pottery painting sessions alongside drinks and snacks. Co-owner Beth Dockerty describes the venue as a welcoming creative space for locals and visitors. The licence application includes staff training commitments on age verification and alcohol retail compliance, with incident and refusal logs to be maintained.

Residents of Broughton-in-Furness urged the Lake District National Park Authority to act on partially built structures at Sawrey Court, calling the site an eyesore. Planning officials outlined limited options due to the development’s lawful status, including serving a completion notice or a Section 215 notice to require maintenance. The committee agreed to respond to residents and further investigate whether planning permission had been formally commenced and what actions could be taken to address the site.

A derelict 1970s library building on Millstone Avenue in Barrow is proposed for demolition under a Westmorland and Furness Council application seeking approval from its own planning department. If permitted, the site would be converted into a children’s playground with new permeable surfacing, updated landscaping, and a modern paladin fence. Public consultation is under way, with a final decision pending.

Westmorland and Furness Council approved BAE’s request to urgently demolish an obsolete air traffic control tower and hangar at Walney Aerodrome due to longstanding safety risks. The old structures obstructed required sightlines from the new control tower and contained aging materials, including asbestos. With critical electrical systems now relocated, demolition—classified as permitted development—will proceed following CAA‑identified safety concerns recorded over seven years.