Last updated at 14:12, Thursday, 11 August 2011

A BID to turn an Ulverston pub into three homes has received the backing of the town council.

SOCIAL-TYPE HOUSING: The Cattle Market Pub in Neville Street MILTON HAWORTH REF: 0521967

Robinson’s brewery believes the Cattle Market in Neville Street is no longer viable as a pub and has applied for permission to convert it into three homes.

Ulverston Town Council voted to approve the plan and asked that the accommodation be made available to rent at affordable prices.

The final decision will rest with South Lakeland District Council.

Earlier this year, the town council voted against plans to convert the former Braddylls Arms pub in Market Place into accommodation. Councillor Phil Lister told Monday night’s council meeting: “The site is finished as a public house.

“It’s a great shame, but nonetheless, the reason why I think we should approve is because it’s not, as the Braddylls Arms is, a major part of the streetscape.

“It’s away from the centre of town and it’s not of any special historic or conservation interest.

“And if demolished and put into housing, it would be successfully used in the future.

“It should be available at socially-controlled rates – they are the type of properties in Ulverston we need.

“What families in Ulverston badly need are houses they can rent at socially-controlled rates.”

Councillor Norman Bishop-Rowe told the meeting: “We do have social-type housing in Neville Street as it is already. This would complete the scene.”

Councillor Bishop-Rowe said more than 140 Ulverston homes had been advertised in the Evening Mail property guide last week, but said very few were priced under £100,000.

Councillor Judy Pickthall agreed and told the meeting: “I think it’s an extremely good use of this building and, as long as they would have controlled rents, it would be excellent.”

But Councillor Tom Watson argued the council should have also paved the way for the Braddylls conversion.

He told the meeting: “What’s good enough for the Cattle Market should have been the same for the Braddylls.

“That will never open as a pub again – they don’t want to open it as a pub again.”

First published at 13:57, Thursday, 11 August 2011
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk