Settlement Profiles for Barrow Borough

Home , Askam and Ireleth, Askam railway station, Duddon Estuary, Furness, Furness Railway, North Scale

October 2017

Barrow Borough Local Plan

Contents

Introduction ...... 3 Askam and Ireleth ...... 5 Size ...... 6 Character ...... 6 History ...... 6 Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment ...... 7 Transport ...... 8 Environment ...... 8 Further Information ...... 9 Conclusion ...... 9 Dalton in Furness ...... 11 Size ...... 12 Character ...... 12 History ...... 12 Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment ...... 13 Transport ...... 15 Environment ...... 15 Further Information ...... 15 Conclusion ...... 16 Lindal in Furness...... 17 Size ...... 18 Character ...... 18 History ...... 19 Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment ...... 19 Transport ...... 20 Environment ...... 20 Further Information ...... 20 Conclusion ...... 21 Marton ...... 23 Size ...... 24 Character ...... 24 History ...... 24

Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment ...... 25 Transport ...... 25 Environment ...... 25 Further Information ...... 25 Conclusion ...... 26 Newton in Furness ...... 27 Size ...... 28 Character ...... 28 History ...... 28 Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment ...... 29 Transport ...... 29 Environment ...... 29 Further Information ...... 29 Conclusion ...... 30 Rampside and Roa Island ...... 31 Size ...... 32 Character ...... 32 History ...... 33 Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment ...... 33 Transport ...... 34 Environment ...... 34 Further Information ...... 34 Conclusion ...... 35 Walney ...... 37 Size ...... 38 Character ...... 38 History ...... 39 Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment ...... 39 Transport ...... 41 Environment ...... 41 Further Information ...... 42 Conclusion ...... 42 Hamlets within the Borough ...... 43

Settlement Profiles Introduction

Introduction This document provides information on the characteristics of the smaller settlements of reasonable significance within Barrow Borough, excluding Barrow in Furness. It has been prepared as part of the evidence base for the Local Plan, which covers the period 2016-31. It seeks to summarise currently available knowledge in relation to each settlement, which along with other evidence, will be used in determining the appropriate amount of development to be directed to the settlement up until 2031.

The new Local Plan sets out a strategy to allow development, whilst ensuring that sustainable economic development is supported, infrastructure is delivered, local communities are protected, environmental capacity is respected, the quality of the built environment and heritage assets are protected and the level of development is not disproportionate to the size of the settlement and the level of services.

Settlement Profiles have been developed to help provide an understanding of the different towns and villages in Barrow Borough. A profile has been prepared for each settlement where the population is greater than 100 people, with the exception of Barrow as the main urban area.

Therefore, the following Settlement Profiles have been prepared:

• Askam and Ireleth • Dalton in Furness • Lindal in Furness • Marton • Newton in Furness • Rampside and Roa Island • Walney (incorporating North Scale and Bigger)

We used the following categories:

• town/urban area – Dalton in Furness population • large semi-urban village – Askam and Ireleth, Walney (incorporating Bigger and North Scale) • medium village – Lindal in Furness • small village – Newton in Furness, Rampside and Roa Island, Marton

Please note a number of developments categorised as loose knit villages or hamlets (small groupings of homes) together, are considered at the end of the document.

Each profile assesses the sustainability of the settlement in question. The principle of sustainable development underpins all aspects of planning policy, as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). To plan development sustainably, it is important to have an understanding of the character and functions of the different settlements and how they relate to each other. It is also important to assess the potential capacity for future growth and change.

The profiles attempt to bring together a range of information from our evidence base into one place, and seek to summarise currently available evidence in relation to the settlement which, along with

Settlement Profiles Introduction other evidence, has been used in determining the appropriate amount of development to be directed to the settlement to 2031.

It is important to note that the profiles only provide a snapshot of the evidence available for the settlement at a point in time. Every effort will be made to incorporate new evidence as it becomes available. If you have specific information about settlements in Barrow borough that would help us to update this hierarchy in the future, we would be interested to receive it. This document is a technical / informative study, and therefore it is not a consultation document.

Each settlement profile contains following sections:

• Size • Character • History • Community Service and Facilities, Retail and Employment • Environment • Further Information • Conclusion

We have included detailed information regarding the environmental sustainability indicators, contextual information such form and character, and commentary regarding how well each rural settlement functions based on available knowledge.

Each profile concludes with commentary regarding the extent to which each settlement could support additional growth, based on a range of considerations including the size and type of settlement, the services and facilities it has and any environmental constraints.

Settlement Profiles Askam and Ireleth

Settlement Profile Askam and Ireleth

Settlement Profiles Askam and Ireleth

Askam and Ireleth

Size Askam in Furness is a small settlement approximately 4.5 miles from Barrow in Furness and together with its neighbouring village, Ireleth, commands a population of around 3,280. A quarter of the population are aged 5 -24 years. Askam and Ireleth are both part of the Furness Peninsula.

There are approximately 1,457 homes in Askam and Ireleth.

Character Askam and Ireleth are two adjoining coastal villages, which are inter-reliant in terms of facilities and services. Located on the Southern shore of the Duddon Estuary they have panoramic views of the nearby Lake District fells, Black Combe and westward out to the Irish Sea.

The villages are mainly rural in character, with green fields and trees on the outskirts. Askam and Ireleth fall within the same development cordon due to their close proximity to one another.

Askam and Ireleth War Memorial stands in a memorial garden on Duke Street, Askam. The memorial stands in the centre of Askam and contains a cenotaph which was unveiled on 18th October 1930 in memory of the residents of Askam and Ireleth who fought and lost their lives during the two world wars.

The A595 is the main coastal route which connects the A590 and Carlisle via the Cumbria Coast. Its southern end is two miles (3km) south of Askam at the junction on the Dalton in Furness bypass. Askam is located on the 150-mile (240 km) Cumbrian Coastal Way, which winds around the edge of the County. There is a railway crossing at the main entrance to the village of Askam.

Askam is made up of traditional terraced streets along with newer developments of detached and semi detached properties at Blea Beck, Abbey Heights, Parklands and The Headland, which were built in the 1980’s and 1990’s. There have been some small scale developments in more recent years, for example in Sandy Lane. Ireleth is made up of predominantly detached properties.

The Local Authority provides social housing in Askam and Ireleth and owns 27 properties. These properties are made up of family homes and an area of one bedroom bungalows.

History Askam and Ireleth were originally two separate villages. Ireleth is one of the ancient settlements of Furness. It is the smaller of the two villages and its origins stretch back to the Viking occupation of Britain. Its name in Norse means Hill Slope of the Irish. The village of Ireleth is included in the Doomsday Book, which was completed in 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror.

Askam took its name from Ascombe Woods near Greenscoe after iron ore deposits were found in the area by William Schneider in 1850. These were discovered to be the second largest iron ore

Settlement Profiles Askam and Ireleth

deposits in the country, with over 7 million tons of ore extracted. By 1896, 547 men were employed in the pits and the village continued to grow with terraced houses and allotments erected for the flood of immigrant labour needed to work in the mines. People moved to the area from all over the British Isles, with a large proportion coming from existing mining areas in Cornwall and Ireland. By 1918, the iron ore had run out and most of the industrial buildings were demolished in 1933.

The economic downturn and closure of the mines left several gaps in streets, which have since been filled with more modern homes. Consequently, there are a large number of unmade and unadopted roads. The ponds at the southern side of the Lots were air shafts for the mines and part of the remains of the slag bank juts out into the estuary, which is known locally as ‘the pier’.

Due to development, Askam and Ireleth have physically grown together over the past 50 years, however residents of both villages often still feel a strong sense of being from either Askam or Ireleth.

Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment Retail facilities are mainly concentrated on the main road of Duke Street in Askam. The largest of the shops is the Co-Operative Store; however there is also a café, hot food takeaway, hairdressers and restaurant. The Post Office can be found on Duke Street and the library is nearby on Lord Street.

As reflected in national trends, the number of public houses in the settlement of Askam and Ireleth has reduced over recent years. Two public houses remain; London House and the Railway Inn.

There is a petrol filling station on the A595 at Ireleth and a car sales garage on the corner opposite the railway crossing. The lifeboat station, home of Duddon Inshore Rescue, was established in 1970.

There is no longer a hotel within the settlement of Askam and Ireleth; however Marsh Farm Caravan Site caters for caravan accommodation.

There is one doctor’s surgery on the Parkland’s estate in Askam. The nearest dentist is located in Dalton in Furness and the nearest bank is located in Barrow in Furness, there is however a cash point on Duke Street.

The Community Centre on Duke Street in Askam provides a hub for local community events such as weekly youth clubs, karate clubs and line dancing. Askam has a number of other halls and the Parish Council meet in a former nonconformist chapel, now known as the Rankin Hall and a former nonconformist chapel, known as Temperance Hall in Ireleth. These halls are both also available for community use. The former Methodist church on Duddon Road is also used by Brownies and Scouts.

There is a children’s play area and skate park in Askam on Sandy Lane and another one Saves Lane in Ireleth. These are regularly used by resident children and visitors to the villages.

Settlement Profiles Askam and Ireleth

There are two churches in the village; St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Askam and St Peter’s Church in Ireleth. St Peter’s Church is the older of the two churches and over looks the village at the top of Ireleth hill. It holds the only churchyard in the village and adjoins the local cemetery.

There are two, well subscribed primary schools, Ireleth St Peter’s C of E Primary School and Askam Village School. The schools are both for pupil’s age 4-11 years old, with Askam Village School also including a nursery for children aged 3 years. The closest secondary school is Dowdales in Dalton in Furness.

There are a number of sports clubs within Askam and Ireleth including Askam Rugby Club, Crown Green Bowling, Askam United Football Club and Dunnerholme Golf Club. Duddon Sports Club is a private members club located on James Street in Askam and offers sport and social facilities including hosting the Duddon Junior Football teams.

When the K Shoes factory closed in 1997, Askam lost its last major employer. The main employers for residents in the village appear to be located in Barrow, Ulverston and Sellafield, with the railway station providing good transport links with all three locations.

Transport The village is served by Stagecoach Cumbria bus service. The Number 7 bus runs four times a day during the week, between Haverigg and Barrow in Furness, stopping at Ireleth, Askam and Green Haume. The bus runs twice a day on a Saturday and in school holidays and there are no buses on a Sunday.

Askam Railway Station is operated by Northern, who provide all passenger train services. Originally, the station was built to transport iron ore being mined in Askam out of the Village. The station is not staffed and has no ticket machine. The main building is Grade II listed and the platforms are linked by means of a barrier level crossing. During the week there are fourteen trains per day northbound (eleven of which run to Carlisle). Southbound there are fifteen departures, three of which continue beyond Barrow to Lancaster and one to Preston. There are no trains on a Sunday.

Environment The Duddon Estuary is home to a number of species, including 20% of the national natter jack toad population. The slag banks around Askam are also very important as nesting sites for the rare Sandwich Terns that live in the area.

The coastline, Duddon Road car park and the Lots are all in the Duddon Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This is the highest possible designation of wildlife conservation.

Askam and Ireleth also have many areas of public open land, including the Memorial Gardens on Duke Street and the Jubilee Garden on The Headlands.

A green wedge has been designated in the emerging local plan, which is defined by Lots

Settlement Profiles Askam and Ireleth

Road to the west and the railway line to the east. This space has been classified as it is considered to be vulnerable to development and provides a buffer between Askam, the A595 and the adjacent railway line.

Further Information Askam and Ireleth have a Parish Council which was established in 1987 and has 8 elected members and a clerk. The Council aims to work for and with the community to benefit and enhance the village for residents and visitors.

Within Askam and Ireleth there are 9 listed buildings and village of Ireleth is a designated conservation area.

Askam and Ireleth are less ethnically diverse than the UK average with 98% of the residents describing themselves as ‘White, British’.

There is a gender split in Askam and Ireleth of approximately 50/50, which is approximately in line with the rest of the UK.

Conclusion The villages of Askam and Ireleth are located on a bus and train route, which links them to the larger settlements of Barrow and Dalton and benefit from primary schools, a community centre and hall, petrol filling station, shops, public houses and a doctor’s surgery. There is good access to the beach and recreation, with allocated footpaths and cycling routes·

The area is one of the largest settlements in the Borough and contains a number of key services and, as such 6 sites have been allocated for housing development in the emerging Local Plan.

Settlement Profiles Askam and Ireleth

Settlement Profiles Dalton in Furness

Settlement Profile Dalton in Furness

Settlement Profiles Dalton in Furness

Dalton in Furness

Size Dalton in Furness is the second largest settlement in the Borough of Barrow in Furness after Barrow itself, which lies four miles to the south west of the town. Dalton in Furness is now in the civil parish of Dalton Town with Newton.

The population of Dalton is approximately 8,125 and there are approximately 3,655 homes.

Character Dalton in Furness is a market town and lies on the eastern crest of a glaciated valley which runs across the peninsula. It is particularly noted for the 14th Century Castle, which is a Scheduled Monument. The castle is a former peel tower which stands almost hidden by surrounding buildings, owned by the National Trust.

Dalton is largely residential, but has many shops, pubs and small businesses. It is mainly built up around the long market street, with side streets going off to the north. The west side of Market Street is the older part and stands on a slight hill where the castle is situated. Not far from the castle is St Mary’s Church. Located at the opposite end of Market Street is Tudor Square, known as Town End in the 16th century and it was originally the centre of a separate village, with its own green and farms.

Most of central Dalton is designated as a Conservation Area, which is protected by an Article 4 Directive to preserve the historic character of the central area. The town centre is also characterised by retail units with small footprints. There is a mixture of new and traditional homes within the settlement.

The town is generally reached by the A590, the link road from the M6 motorway to the Furness region, which bypasses the town and there are good connections towards Barrow to the west and Ulverston and beyond to the east.

The Local Authority provides social housing in Dalton and owns 181 properties. These properties are made up of flats, houses and bungalow.

Dalton is twinned with Dalton, Pennsylvania, USA.

History Dalton was historically the capital of Furness. The ancient parish of Dalton covered the area which is now occupied by the Borough of Barrow in Furness. Dalton was mentioned in the Doomsday book as Daltune. It was situated on a hilltop in a predominantly agricultural area, far enough from the sea to be protected from pirates.

Settlement Profiles Dalton in Furness

Dalton became prosperous in the 1100’s thanks to the wealth and modernising influence of the Cistercian monks of Furness Abbey. Dalton gained its Royal Charter in 1239, which enabled it to hold a weekly market and annual fair.

Dalton Castle was built by the monks of Furness Abbey to protect the approach to the Abbey. It later became the administrative centre for the Abbot where he held court and dispensed justice. The castle remained a courthouse for over 300 years until the dissolution of the Abbey in 1537. Following this, Dalton’s fortunes began to decline.

Dalton was revived by the growth of the iron-mining industry in the 1800’s. When Barrow and Ulverston expanded, the continued growth of mining activities and the development of Furness Railway were highly beneficial for Dalton. The town was encircled by mining works at Roanhead, Elliscales, Butts Beck, Longlands, Mouzell, Park Mines and many other locations. Iron-ore storage yards were built next to Furness Railway, connected to the mines by a network of narrow gauge and standard gauge tramways. There were also limestone and sandstone quarries and a brickworks.

Although today the iron mines are all closed, the stone quarries and brickworks remain in production.

Between 1883 and 1885, St Mary’s Church was built on a site where it is believed there have been churches since the eighth century. The decision to build the Church was taken with the promise of financial help from James Ramsden, Henry Schneider and others of wealth in the area who felt that Dalton, as the leading church in the area, should not be less imposing than the ones recently built in the new Borough of Barrow in Furness.

Inside the church there is a 14th Century Font, which bears the shields of Furness Abbey. In the churchyard lies the grave of George Romney, a famous painter, who was born in Dalton in 1734. Also in the churchyard, is a plaque which outlines the devastating effects of the Plague, which hit the town in 1631.

Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment Dalton contains a higher proportion of convenience and retail service than the national average, which is reflective of the role the centre plays in meeting day to day shopping needs. Dalton provides a supporting role to Barrow in the local retail hierarchy, although it is not a significant main food or comparison retail shopping destination. Rather, it serves the day to day needs of the town and immediate rural area.

Retail facilities are mainly concentrated on the main road of Market Street in Dalton. Market Street is a well used local centre with a pleasant character despite the levels of passing traffic. The largest of the shops is the Cooperative Store; however there are a number of other retail units which meet day to day shopping needs, such as a greengrocer, butcher and hairdressers. The Post Office can also be found on Market Street and the library is nearby on Nelson Street. The town centre includes a solicitors, building society and estate agent, but it does not have a bank.

Settlement Profiles Dalton in Furness

There are traffic calming measures and parking restrictions on Market Street, however there are three public car parks (Nelson Street, Lime Street and Tudor Square), with additional car parking behind the Cooperative store.

The largest retail unit is most likely Charnley’s on the outskirts of Dalton, which is a home and garden centre with a coffee shop.

There are two hotels, Clarence House and Chequers, which are located close to the town centre. There is a good range of eating and drinking establishments in Dalton with 12 public houses, a restaurant and numerous hot food takeaways.

There are two doctors’ surgeries in Dalton, on Market Street and Nelson Street and there is a dentist on Market Street. There is also an opticians and chemist located on Market Street.

There are two halls in Dalton, the Drill Hall on Nelson Street and the Community Centre on Chapel Street. The Drill Hall is maintained and run by Dalton Community Association, which is a registered charity. The hall is permanent home to Dalton Police Office and Jack and Jill Playgroup and also hosts a number of community events and classes. The Community Centre is used by the local Scout group and is available for private hire.

Dalton Library is also located within the Drill Hall, it is mainly operated as a self service library and is open Monday to Friday.

There are four, well subscribed primary schools in Dalton:

• Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School • Dalton St Mary’s Church of England Primary School • Chapel Street Infant and Nursery School • George Romney Junior School

Dowdales School is a Secondary School in Dalton for boys and girls aged 11-16, with approximately 1000 pupils on roll. There are also five children’s play areas throughout the town.

Dalton has its own leisure centre, which is owned by The Dalton and District Recreational Charity Trust. The centre comprises of a swimming pool, gym, squash courts and a solarium.

There are three churches in Dalton; St Mary’s C of E Church as mentioned above and two churches located on Ulverston Road being Our Lady of the Rosary RC Church and the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Our Lady of the Rosary Church was built in 1879 and was originally partly used as a school. The Seventh Day Adventist Church was built as a Methodist Church in 1868 and has had many uses since, such as an auction room and printing establishment, before becoming the Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1987. St Mary’s Church has its own church yard and there is also a Council managed cemetery in Dalton which opened in 1860 just south of the town.

Settlement Profiles Dalton in Furness

Every year, Dalton holds a Christmas parade through the town and a Christmas tree festival in St Mary’s Church. It begins with a nativity procession down Market Street from Tudor Square and then at the festival there are over 60 hand decorated trees from local schools, charities, organisations and clubs.

The main tourist attraction to the town is South Lakes Safari Zoo. The zoo was established in 1994 on converted farmland on the A590 on the outskirts of Dalton. It is home to over 1000 different species and has an on site restaurant, play areas, train ride and car parking.

One of the main employers for residents in Dalton would appear to be BAE Systems, which is a short journey away in Barrow. The NHS and major international companies, such as Kimberley Clark in Barrow are also major employers in the area.

Transport The A590 connects Dalton with the M6 motorway at junction 36 – a journey of approximately 35 minutes.

Dalton is served by Stagecoach Cumbria bus service. The number 6 and X6 bus run regularly during the week to Barrow, Ulverston, Kendal and Windermere. There is a reduced timetable on a Sunday. Additional school buses also run throughout the school term.

Dalton Railway Station is operated by Northern, who provide all passenger train services. The station is not staffed and has no ticket machine. There were once three platforms, however only two are in use today. The station buildings are also no longer in rail use. It receives a roughly hourly service (Monday to Saturday) to Lancaster and to Barrow in Furness. There are also southbound services to Preston and Manchester Airport and northbound to Carlisle. There is no Sunday Service north of Barrow.

Environment Elliscales Quarry is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) situated next to the A595 on the northern outskirts of Dalton in Furness. It is an important geological site and, in addition, contains a rich limestone grassland community.

Much of the centre of Dalton is at risk of flooding and lies within Flood Zone 2 or 3.

Green areas in Dalton have been classified as Green Wedge in the emerging Local Plan to ensure the town remains a clearly separate settlement from Barrow. The Green Wedge also focuses possible new developments to provide a more rural character than a suburban extension.

Further Information Dalton with Newton Town Council was established in 1987 and has 10 elected members. The Council are not service providers but aim to enhance the area for the benefit of residents and visitors to the town.

Settlement Profiles Dalton in Furness

Within Dalton there are 103 listed buildings.

Dalton is less ethnically diverse than the UK average with 98% of the residents describing themselves as ‘White, British’.

There is a gender split in Dalton of approximately 53% male, 47% female, which is approximately in line with the rest of the UK.

Conclusion The settlement of Dalton in Furness is located on a bus and train route, which links it to the larger settlement of Barrow. 10 sites have been allocated in the emerging Local Plan for housing development, which will extend the urban area into nearby green areas. Dalton has appropriate facilities to meet the needs of the community and to support this expansion. The Green Infrastructure Strategy has been produced to consider the effect these developments will have on the amenity of existing residents

Settlement Profiles Lindal in Furness

Settlement Profile Lindal in Furness

Settlement Profiles Lindal in Furness

Lindal in Furness

Size Lindal in Furness is a small village located approximately 4.8 miles from Barrow in Furness. It has a total population of approximately 583 people and approximately 252 homes.

Character The settlement of Lindal is on the south west Furness Peninsula and is administered by two Local Authorities. The majority of the settlement being within the boundary of Barrow Borough Council who oversees the western side of the settlement and the remainder is covered by South Lakeland District Council. The village was originally built around a tarn, which was later filled in with spoil from the mines to create a village green in 1887. The iron mining companies built houses, chapels, reading rooms, a public hall and a school in Lindal during the period from mid 19th century to early 20th century.

The A590 runs through the centre of Lindal; however the other roads leading out of the village are traditional country lanes. Despite surrounding a busy main road, the village retains its rural character.

The village green lies to the north of the A590 and is surrounded by traditional terraced houses, dispersed by four large former farmhouses and the village hall. In addition, Pennington Church Farm and Townend Farm are just a few hundred metres to the south. St Peter’s Church is an imposing building, which also sits by the village green. Many of the substantial sandstone and limestone buildings around The Green were built for the mine managers, mine workers and their families. This whole area is within a conservation area, which was designated to preserve and enhance the character of the village.

There have been a small number of modern properties built within the village over more recent years. In 2010, a former public house, The Anchor Inn, was demolished and developed into 5 detached houses. There is a development cordon around the village, which together with the conservation area, controls the development within the settlement.

There were a small number of homes owned by the Local Authority in Lindal, however most have now been bought by the tenants. This has resulted in only one three bedroom house remaining for the purpose of social housing.

Lindal War Memorial is a cenotaph made from Stainton limestone and is situated on the roadside in front of the village green. The War Memorial was repaired and cleaned in November 2005. The railings and gates were replaced and new seating provided during 2007.

Settlement Profiles Lindal in Furness

History The name Lindal (originally Lindale) is probably of Norse origin, derived from ‘Linden’ and ‘dale’ meaning valley, i.e. valley of lime trees. It is also possible that the name Lindal is of Celtic origin, meaning village around a deep pond.

The village is in an area that was once known as ‘Dalton and Plain Furness’. This was a fertile land and considerable sized plots were brought into cultivation by the monks, using latest scientific techniques. Lindal was recorded as a grange of Furness Abbey in 1220 and it is known that iron ore mining took place in the Lindal Moor area at that time. Furness Abbey was dissolved in 1537 and its lands were annexed to the Duchy of Lancaster by Act of Parliament in 1540.

Lindal is a former iron mining village and many of the homes date back to the 19th century. By 1806 the population of Lindal was 111 and the main industry was iron ore mining. In the 1830’s and 40’s, a large number of miners moved to Lindal from Cornwall and elsewhere.

The first section of the Furness Railway was built to transport slate from quarries at Kirkby down to Barrow and opened in 1846. A single track extension to Lindal was built in 1851 and Lindal Railway Station opened. The Lindal Moor Tramway was built to connect the Lindal Moor mines with the Furness Railway sidings. Following the decline of the iron ore mining business, Lindal railway station was closed in 1951, after 100 years of service and was demolished.

A number of buildings in Lindal have also since been demolished. The Lindal Liberal Club on the south side of the A590 became redundant and was demolished in the 1950’s. The Police Station (on the eastern corner of London Road) and a row of buildings (west of London Road) which included several shops were also demolished around this time. A new house has also been built on the site of what was the Post Office.

Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment Lindal provides a fairly limited amount of community services and facilities for the local residents needs. This consists of a village hall, place of worship, public house and hairdressing salon. The settlement lacks key community facilities such as a doctor’s surgery, post office or any shopping facilities.

The village hall, known as Buccleuch Hall and the Green accommodate annual village galas and other special events. The Hall is well used by various bodies, such as Brownies and Parish Council Meetings. A pre-school is also run from the Hall and it is available for private hire.

The village has a popular and successful primary school, Lindal and Marton Primary School. The school was built in 1854 and is for pupil’s age 4- 11 years old. There are no secondary schools in the village, the closest being Dowdales Secondary School in Dalton in Furness.

Settlement Profiles Lindal in Furness

There is a children’s play space, suitable for both toddler and junior children, located at Pitt Lane in Lindal. It is regularly used by both resident children and visitors to the village.

There are some employment opportunities available within the settlement area, however many residents travelling approximately 4.8 miles to Barrow in Furness for employment, or to Ulverston 2.5 miles away. One of the main employers within Lindal is the Wax Lyrical candle factory, which has a gift shop and café for visitors. Other local businesses are Duerden Abattoir and Browns Farm Shop.

Lindal benefits from a cricket club and bowling club. Lindal Moor Cricket Club is located just off the A590 outside the village. The Clubhouse is open to the public when there is a match on and is available for private hire. There are playing facilities for crown green bowling at Lindal Bowling Club. The Club is located on Pennington Lane adjacent to the Cricket Club.

Transport Road access to the village is good, as Lindal lies on the A590 trunk road with several bus stops. It is served by Stagecoach Cumbria bus service. The number 6 and X6 bus run regularly during the week to Barrow, Ulverston, Kendal and Windermere. There is a reduced timetable on a Sunday. Additional school buses also run throughout the school term.

The nearest railway station is approximately 1.7 miles away in Dalton in Furness. A bus does not run to Dalton train station, but the number 6 bus does run to Dalton, therefore enabling people to use the bus and then the train.

Environment Until fairly recently the village green was used to graze sheep, however it is now a public open space used for leisure.

Lindal lies within South Cumbria Low Fells, which is an internationally recognised landscape.

The village experiences a good local environment and there are privately owned allotments on London Road, many of which are rented by local residents.

Grazing land adjacent to the A590 in Lindal is allocated as a green wedge in the emerging Local Plan, in order to maintain the character of the surrounding area, especially the mature tree planted frontage to the A590 and the field behind. This provides a distinctive feature when driving through Lindal, as well as delivering the setting for a potential housing development which is also included in the emerging Local Plan. The village green, playing field and the allotments are also protected green spaces.

Further Information Lindal and Marton have a Parish Council who represents the community at a parish level; they also have delegated authority for the management of The Green. Parish Council meetings are held in public, at the Buccleuch Hall, at least four times a year.

Settlement Profiles Lindal in Furness

The village of Lindal contains 22 listed buildings, concentrated around the village green, within the Conservation Area.

Lindal is less ethnically diverse than the UK average with 98% of the residents describing themselves as ‘White, British’.

There is a gender split in Lindal of approximately 51% Male, 49% Female, which is approximately in line with the rest of the UK.

Conclusion Lindal is a relatively small settlement and as such does not contain many key community services and facilities. However, there is an active community within the village, it has its own school and pre school and regular events are held on the village green and Buccleuch Hall. The village also benefits from good transport links by road and public transport.

Given the above, one site has been allocated for additional housing in the emerging Local Plan.

Settlement Profiles Marton

Settlement Profiles Marton Settlement Profile Marton

Settlement Profiles Marton

Marton

Size Marton is a small settlement on the Furness Peninsula. It has a total population of approximately 140 people and approximately 54 homes. Marton is approximately 5 miles from Barrow in Furness.

Character Marton is located in a picturesque rural location and is one of the smaller settlements in the Borough. The settlement is comprised of separate clusters of tightly packed housing and has a very rural character. The whole settlement is surrounded by open countryside.

There is a mixture of housing types in Marton, mainly made up of traditional, character properties. There are very few modern properties within the village.

There is a war memorial in Marton, made from Stainton limestone, which stands at the roadside. The memorial was built in memory the people who lost their lives in World War I and II. Adjacent to the memorial is a children’s play area, which is maintained by the Borough Council.

Several wind farms have been built to the area north and west of Marton, at Harlock Hill and Far Old Park Farm.

History Marton is probably an old English name, meaning ‘farm or hamlet by a lake’, derived from ‘mere’ meaning lake and ‘tun’ meaning farm or hamlet. It is in an area that was once known as ‘Dalton and Plain Furness’. This was fertile land, and considerable sized plots were brought into cultivation by the monks at Furness Abbey, using latest scientific techniques. The village exhibits the ancient pattern of settlements in such areas, originally concentrated around tarns. Marton was recorded as a grange belonging to Furness Abbey in 1190.

There are references to iron mining at Marton in 1396, when William de Merton granted rights to the Abbot and monks of Furness Abbey to freely dig for minerals in his lands at Marton. Furness Abbey was dissolved in 1537 and its lands were annexed to the Duchy of Lancaster by Act of Parliament in 1540.

In 1806, the main industry that developed in the area was iron ore mining. In the 1830’s and 40’s, a large number of miners moved to the area from Cornwall and elsewhere. By the 1950’s the mines were becoming exhausted and eventually closed.

Lindal with Marton Parish was created in 1872, due to the growing population. A Methodist chapel was built in 1866 at Tarn Flatt. This chapel closed in 1960 and has since been converted into a home.

Settlement Profiles Marton

Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment The village is poorly served with no community services or facilities other than a shared church and primary school situated in nearby Lindal in Furness.

Just under 1 mile away is Lindal and Marton Primary School with approximately 87 children on its roll. It was built in 1854 and is for pupil’s age 4-11 years old. The closest secondary school is Dowdales Secondary School in Dalton in Furness.

There is no central meeting place, such as a village green, however the parish council meet at the village hall in Lindal. There is a children play area situated close to the War Memorial.

The last public house in Marton closed in January 2008 due to declining trade. The building has since been converted into a private house.

There are no convenience shops within the settlement and very limited employment opportunities, other than limited agricultural positions and residents working from home, for example in the cattery and kennels. The majority of employed residents travel approximately 5 miles to work in Barrow, or to Ulverston 2.8 miles away. BAE Systems, the NHS and major international companies, such as Kimberley Clark in Barrow are major employers in the area.

Transport Due to its relatively isolated location, Marton is poorly served by public transport. There is no bus service and the closest train stations are in Askam or Dalton. The roads are narrow rural lanes with no public footpath, sometimes single track. Residents are therefore heavily reliant on the private car as the sole method of transport. The journey to junction 36 of the M6 motorway takes approximately 45 minutes.

Environment Parts of Marton are susceptible to surface water flooding during heavy rainfall, particularly around the discussed sewerage works.

Further Information Lindal and Marton have a Parish Council who represents the community at a parish level. Parish Council meetings are held in public, generally at the Buccleuch Hall in Lindal, at least four times a year.

Within Marton, there are 2 listed buildings.

Marton is less ethnically diverse than the UK average with 99% of the residents describing themselves as ‘White, British’.

There is a gender split in Marton of approximately 49% Male, 51% Fenale which is approximately in line with the rest of the UK.

Settlement Profiles Marton

Conclusion The emerging Local Plan proposes to remove the development cordon around Marton. There are no suitable areas for development and due to the poor community services and facilities it is felt that the village is not sustainable location for additional housing. Development will be concentrated on settlements in the Borough with more community facilities

Settlement Profiles Newton in Furness

Settlement Profile Newton in Furness

Settlement Profiles Newton in Furness

Newton in Furness

Size Newton is a small village located on the Furness Peninsula, approximately 2.7 miles north east of Barrow in Furness and 1.2 miles south of Dalton in Furness. The population of Newton is approximately 200 people.

There are approximately 88 homes in Newton and 16 in the nearby hamlet of Woodbine, which as it is a short distance away, residents of Woodbine may use the school and village hall.

Character Newton is a rural village situated at the southern end of the Furness Peninsula. The village includes some property which was built to house people who worked in the iron ore mines and some property of post World War II. Alongside the more modern properties are a number of homes dating back to the 18th Century. The former Church and Chapel have both been converted into homes. The roads are narrow and the housing mix of new and old helps to maintain a rural character.

There is a development cordon around the settlement to concentrate development and prevent inappropriate ribbon development beyond this rural village. A piece of land next to the Farmers Arms has been allocated for housing in the emerging Local Plan. Developments will only be considered, if they are thought to be in keeping with the character of the village.

Newton War Memorial is a cenotaph which stands in a memorial garden in the centre of the village and was built to honour those who fought and lost their lives in World War I. The memorial garden is opposite a former red telephone kiosk, which although is no longer in use, the traditional telephone box remains and is used as a library/informal information point by residents

There are views out to open countryside surrounding the village, with fields divided by limestone walls and hedgerows. This is a key characteristic of the settlement.

History Newton was listed in the Domesday Book as being one of the townships forming the Manor of Hougan which was held by Tostig Godwinson, Earl of Northumbria. The Manor of Hogan is the historic name for an area which covered the Duddon and Furness Peninsulas in approximately 1060. The name itself is though to derive from the Old Norse ‘haugr’ meaning mound or hill.

Woodbine Pitt at Newton produced iron ore up until its closure in 1946.The industry declined due to dwindling iron ore reserves, cheap foreign imports and the pressures of economic viability. Woodbine Pitt was the last big pit in Furness to close.

Settlement Profiles Newton in Furness

Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment There are two public houses in the village which also serve food; The Farmers Arms and the Village Inn. The Village Inn is situated on the main road into the village and overlooks open countryside to the front.

Despite its size, Newton has a nursery and primary school, which also provides a breakfast and after school club. Children need to travel to nearby Barrow or Dalton to attend secondary school.

The only other community facility available in the settlement is a village hall, which is also used as a place of worship for the True Life Church, who meet every Sunday morning. There is a play area to the rear of the village hall for use of the local children, which is maintained by the Local Authority and adjacent to this is an open grassed amenity space.

There are no employment opportunities within the village of Newton, with the possible exception of agricultural work. The majority of employed residents travel to Barrow to work. BAE Systems, the NHS and major international companies, such as Kimberley Clark in Barrow are major employers in the area.

Transport There is no bus service in the village and the nearest train station is in Dalton, which is approximately a mile away from Newton

Access for cars is good due to the villages close proximity to Barrow in Furness; however roads to the village are rural lanes.

Residents will be reliant upon private cars as walking is more difficult due to the lanes having no pavements. The journey to junction 36 of the M6 motorway takes approximately 35 minutes.

Environment The agricultural land and hedgerows that surround the village of Newton will provide a habitat for a number of species. A public grassed area can also be found in the centre of the village next to the village hall and play area. This land is classified as a green space within the emerging Local Plan.

The War Memorial also stands in a small memorial garden, which is open to the public.

Further Information Dalton with Newton Town Council was established in 1987 and has 10 elected members. The Council are not service providers, but aim to enhance the area for the benefit of residents and visitors to the

Settlement Profiles Newton in Furness

town.

Newton is less ethnically diverse than the UK average with 99% of the residents describing themselves as ‘White, British’.

There is a gender split in Newton of approximately 48% Male, 52% Female, which is approximately in line with the rest of the UK.

Conclusion The village of Newton experiences a good local environment; however there are few community facilities. There is capacity within the primary school and the possibility of a development of approximately 6 new homes proposed in the Local Plan. Larger developments are unlikely to be considered where there will be a detrimental effect on the character of the village.

Settlement Profiles Rampside and Roa Island Settlement Profile Rampside and Roa Island

Settlement Profiles Rampside and Roa Island

Rampside and Roa Island

Size Rampside is a small village in located approximately 2 miles south east of Barrow in Furness, in the north western corner of Morecambe Bay on the Furness Peninsula. Roa Island lies just over half a mile south of the village of Rampside at the southernmost point of the Furness Peninsula. Roa Island has an area of about three hectares. There are approximately 217 homes in Rampside and Roa Island.

The population of Rampside and Roa Island is approximately 402 people.

Character Rampside and Roa Island are two separate, compact, coastal settlements joined together by a road along a causeway. There is a pebble beach easily accessible from the road and sailing and windsurfing are popular in the surrounding areas.

Rampside village is mostly residential and with a mixture of housing types including modern homes, however a few 17th century houses remain. Rampside Hall is one of these houses and is a Grade I listed building. It has 12 chimneys on its roof. There is very limited available development land and there is a designated development cordon around Rampside, to contain development within the village. There are few properties outside of the core area and the residential areas of the settlement are bordered by open countryside.

Situated opposite the houses on the main road into Rampside village is an area of marshland, which is a local geological site. Standing on the marshland, is a Grade II listed lighthouse, also known as ‘The Needle’. The lighthouse was a leading light navigation beacon, built in 1875. It is the only surviving example of 13 such beacons built on the approaches to Rampside and Barrow during the late 19th century to aid vessels into the town’s port. The unpainted tower stands at 20 metres high and is built with red and light yellow bricks.

Overlooking the Bay, on Roa Island, is a large house called Villa Marina, which was built for the Furness Industrialist Henry Schneider as a holiday residence. Over the years it has served as a fisheries investigation laboratory and as army premises during World War II. It is now a hotel. On the lawn are 7 cannons pointing out to sea.

Also overlooking the Bay on Roa Island, is a row of terraced houses, called Trinity Terrace, which was built to provide accommodation for the ten Trinity House pilots. The Watch Tower stands adjacent to the terrace and is a former Customs and Excise House built in 1847.

Running from Roa Island jetty is a summer ferry service to Piel Island, which is an island given to the people of Barrow by the Duke of Buccleuch in 1920 as a World War I memorial.

Settlement Profiles Rampside and Roa Island

History The name ‘Rampside’ comes from the promontory where it is located, as it was seen to be in the shape of a rams head. There is evidence that the village was inhabited as early as 1292, in the records of the monks of Furness Abbey, though Viking and Roman artefacts have been found in the village’s church. As well as agriculture, the village acted as a small port, with shipping trade coming to Furness Abbey through Roa Island, which itself was fortified by Piel Island.

In the late 18th century, the village had a reputation as a bathing resort. At the time, it was larger than Barrow, which was still a small hamlet. In 1840, Roa Island was bought by John Abel Smith, who began work on a causeway and deep water pier know as Piel Pier. This was completed in 1846 resulting in a rail ferry from Fleetwood to the island, the trains then passing through Rampside station to get to Barrow. This service became obsolete with the railway barges linking Ulverston and Lancaster, and the causeway soon became a road.

Today there is little obvious trace of it, though many of the stones that form the sides of the causeway are actually stone sleepers from the railway. A road linking Roa Island to Rampside has now taken the place of the railway tracks along the causeway.

Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment There are very few community services and facilities open to local residents within the settlements of Rampside and Roa Island. There are no key community facilities such as a Post Office, school and shopping facilities. The closest doctor’s surgery is 2.5 miles away in Barrow in Furness.

Rampside does benefit from having a public house, The Concle Inn and a local hotel and eating establishment, The Clarkes Arms. Roa Island also has a hotel, Villa Marina and a café, The Bosun's Locker. Takeaway food and ice creams are also available. The area is popular with tourists due to its coastline and ferry connections to Piel Island, however wider awareness and the tourism potential of the area could be improved.

The village hall at Rampside is well used and holds a large coffee morning every Tuesday. It is also used by the Women’s Institute and Brownies and for other social occasions.

Roa Island is home to a lifeboat station of the RNLI, serving Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea. The station was established in 1864, however in recent years it has been completely rebuilt and enlarged.

There is a popular yachting club on Roa Island with approximately 350 members. On water activities are held for 9 months of the year, however the club is open year round.

Half a mile outside the village of Rampside is St Michael’s church. It affords excellent views across to Piel Island and has its own church yard. The church has past associations with the farmers and sailors of the area and was built in 1840.

Settlement Profiles Rampside and Roa Island

Rampside Gas Terminal is situated between Roose to the North and Rampside to the South and was built on a site used by the former Roosecote coal fired power station. The Gas Terminal provides employment opportunities for local people; however a number of residents will also travel to Barrow in Furness to work, due to its close proximity to the settlements of Rampside and Roa Island. BAE Systems, the NHS and major international companies, such as Kimberley Clark are also major employers in the Barrow area.

Transport The County Council do not subsidise a bus service to Rampside, however a steering group was set up to support a bus service from Barrow to Coniston via Rampside. The steering group fundraise to cover the cost of the service, which is run by Blueworks Taxi Limited. The bus runs 7 times a day from Monday to Saturday.

The nearest railway station is Roose, which is 2.4 miles away. Residents are reliant on the private car. To travel to junction 36 of the M6 Motorway it takes approximately 55 minutes by car.

Environment Rampside Sands and Morecambe Bay is Site of Special Scientific Interest and Natura 2000 site due to the abundance of rare and threatened species the area holds.

The settlement is bordered by areas of farmland and countryside, which provide a habitat for a number of species and they maintain the rural character of the village.

The Roosegate Green Wedge is characterised by a prominent hillside that, along with its woodland, makes a distinctive focal contribution within the local street scene defining the key junction between Rampside and Roose Roads. The land is in private ownership and currently used as allotments and for private horticulture.

Further Information There is an active community in Rampside and Roa Island, which is identified by the well attended the weekly coffee mornings are at the Village Hall. Wider community involvement in the area may be limited by the poor public transport.

Parts of the area are located in Flood Zone 2 and 3, which indicated they are more likely to flood. This is largely due to the closeness to the sea and exposure to the elements on the coastline.

There are 4 listed buildings on Roa Island and 5 listed buildings at Rampside.

Rampside and Roa Island are less ethnically diverse than the UK average with 98% of the residents describing themselves as ‘White, British’. There is a gender split in Rampside and Roa Island of approximately 50% Male, which is approximately in line with the rest of the UK.

Settlement Profiles Rampside and Roa Island

Conclusion Rampside and Roa Island have low sustainability, and no sites have been identified for additional housing within the emerging Local Plan. It is within close proximity to Barrow in Furness and improved transport connections between the two would make access to services easier for local residents and visitors. There is a development cordon for the village of Rampside to concentrate development and prevent inappropriate ribbon development into the open countryside. Development within the development cordon maybe considered providing it is in keeping with the character of the village.

The emerging Local Plan proposes to remove the development cordon around Roa Island as the whole of the settlement falls within Flood Risk Zone 3.

Settlement Profiles Walney

Settlement Profile Walney

Settlement Profiles Walney

Walney

Size Walney forms part of the town of Barrow in Furness. It is the eighth largest island in England and the largest in Cumbria, with direct road access to the mainland. Walney is around eleven miles long and less than a mile wide at its widest point. There is a population of around 10,651, evenly distributed across the two wards of Walney North and Walney South. There are approximately 5,156 homes on the island.

Character Walney is an island off the west coast of England and is separated from mainland Barrow by Walney Channel, a narrow channel which is spanned by Jubilee Bridge. Jubilee Bridge is a bascule bridge which has connected Walney to the mainland since 1908, providing good vehicular and pedestrian access. Prior to the building of the bridge, a ferry existed to carry passengers the short distance across the water.

Walney is characterised by key elements which contribute to the Borough’s identity, such as the coastline and other coastal features, such as Jubilee Bridge, surrounding more built up, urban areas. Devonshire Dock Hall at BAE Systems is also particularly visible across many parts of Walney. There are four designated Conservation Areas on Walney Island, including the planned workers suburbs of North and South Vickerstown and the older settlements of North Scale and Biggar.

The most densely populated area on Walney is Vickerstown, which was originally established as a community for shipyard workers, deriving its name from the North Yorkshire steel firm, Vickers Ltd. The more modern residential area, known as North Walney, is only slightly smaller than Vickerstown. Biggar and North Scale were established long before Barrow's shipbuilding industry began.

North Scale is separated from other residential parts of Walney, however they are within walking distance. It has a suburban character and lies on Walney’s east coast. North Scale is surrounded by a development cordon to prevent inappropriate development.

Biggar is a more isolated village and is an agricultural community, with farms extending south of the village. Biggar is the oldest settlement on Walney, with records of Furness Abbey from 1292 mentioning a grange at Biggar.

Settlement Profiles Walney

Walney is a popular location for windsurfing, particularly Earnse Bay as it is flat and wide. North of Earnse Bay are secluded beaches backed by sand dunes. Biggar Bank also has an attractive and sandy beach.

The northern portion of Walney Channel opens into the Duddon Estuary and is both narrower and shallower than the rest. At low tide, this section is passable on foot, with stepping stones, known locally as ‘Widow’s Crossing’. The southern half of the channel is wider and regularly dredged to allow shipping access to the Port of Barrow.

Walney has a functioning Grade II listed lighthouse, which is unmanned but has an electric light and rotation system. The lighthouse and its attached cottages were built in 1804 and replaced a wooden lighthouse that had burned to the ground the previous year.

The Local Authority provides social housing in Walney and owns 391 properties. These properties are made up of flats, houses and bungalows.

History Walney Island formed during the last glacial period, when the River Duddon was a large glacial lake, depositing till at its mouth, which became Walney. Some evidence of Neolithic inhabitants has been found in the island’s sand dunes though its name is likely of Norse origin.

Prehistoric remains were discovered on the sand dunes at Walney Island and other locations on the island in the 1930's, in the form of flint arrow and axe heads. This provided proof that the island has been consistently occupied by man since at least the Neolithic era.

The island's name derives from the Old Norse valna ey, which translates as 'Isle of the British'. One of the main areas of settlement on Walney, Biggar Village has seen settlement since at least the eleventh century; it is referred to in the Domesday Book as Hougenai.

St Marys Church is an Anglican parish church, built on the promenade, which dates back to the latter part of the sixteenth century. The church building was later replaced in 1852 and replaced again in 1907 by a larger building. This much larger church was required due to the dramatic increase in size of the local population as a consequence of the growth of the shipyard industry.

Community Services and Facilities, Retail and Employment Walney is well equipped with social and community facilities. There is a good mixture of shops including a Tesco Express and Co-Operative store, together with smaller convenience shops and off licences. Neighbourhood shopping areas are located on Amphitrite Street, Douglas Street and Mill Lane and include services such as bakers, hairdressers, beauticians and bookmakers.

The settlement of Walney previously had three Post Offices, however following national trends; two have closed, leaving the one remaining Post Office on Mill Lane. Central Drive is home to

Settlement Profiles Walney

Walney Library, a chemist and a doctor’s surgery. Walney does not have a dentist surgery or bank, the closest being nearby in Barrow town centre, there are cash points at a number of convenience stores.

Walney has various popular public houses, including the Crown Inn at North Scale, which was built in 1865. The George Hotel on Central Drive was demolished in 2014 to make way for a housing development; however there are still two public houses on Walney with rooms available. South End Caravan Park also offers facilities for static and touring caravans, with excellent facilities for

residents including a swimming pool and licenced club.

There are four community centres on Walney located at North Scale, Central Drive, Ocean Road and Mill Lane, who offer youth clubs, baby groups, senior citizens club and Brownies. The community centres are available to hire by the public.

There are five, well subscribed primary schools on Walney:

• North Walney Primary School • South Walney Infant School • South Walney Junior School • St Columba’s Primary School • Vickerstown Primary School Walney also has a secondary School, Walney School, which was built in 1951 and teaches approximately 636 pupils aged between 11 and 16 years. In September 2014, the school converted to academy status. Students wishing to continue with further education need to travel to the mainland.

There are 5 children’s play spaces on Walney. The facilities include skate ramps and MUGA’s (Multi Use Games Area), together with traditional swings and play areas.

There are two churches on Walney. St Columba’s Catholic Church is on Church Lane and adjoins the Primary School. St Mary’s C of E Church on the Promenade was for many centuries the only settled place of worship and holds its own churchyard, which was extended over the years, until eventually closed in the 1980’s.

BAE Systems is the main employers for residents of the Borough; however Ørsted operates Walney Offshore Wind Farm which is currently one of the biggest wind farms of its kind in the world with plans for expansion. The NHS and major international companies, such as Kimberley Clark are also major employers in the Barrow area.

Settlement Profiles Walney

Transport Jubilee Bridge carries the A590 trunk road, which runs between Walney’s western coast and the M6 motorway. This is the only access on and off the island. Given the reliance of residents on the private vehicle, the bridge suffers from traffic congestion during peak hours. To travel to junction 36 of the M6 Motorway it takes approximately 55 minutes travelling by car.

Walney is served by Stagecoach Cumbria bus service. Buses run regularly from various locations across the island, but no long distance service is provided and they all terminate in Barrow where people can change buses, enabling them to travel to Ulverston, Kendal and Windermere.

Walney does not have a train station, the nearest being Barrow station, approximately 1.5 miles away. Passengers are able to travel by bus from Walney to Abbey Road, which is in close proximity to the train station.

Walney marks the start of two National Cycle Routes. There is a popular cycleway which begins on Walney and runs around Morecambe Bay for 81 miles to Glasson Dock in Lancashire. The cycleway is called the Bay Cycle Way and officially opened in 2015. The route takes a mixture of traffic free paths and quiet lanes through stunning land and seascape.

Walney is also the start of the Walney to Weir (W2W) cycle route, part of the National Cycle Network, covering a distance of 152 miles coast to coast.

Walney also has a small airfield, which is privately owned by BAE Systems who operate 3 aircraft during the week. There are 3 runways and the airfield was initially used as an RAF station during World War II, after opening in 1935. Lakes Gliding Club is also based at the airfield. They use the airfield for gliding, mainly at the weekends. The Gliding Club also offer ‘Learn to Fly’ packages for people wishing to take up the sport.

Environment Although all areas of the Borough are susceptible to the effects of climate change, Walney is particularly at risk of sea level rise, coastal erosion and flooding, with the greatest threat being to Biggar Village. Other significant risk areas are South Walney and Earnse Bay due to the low lying land.

Barrow’s three designated bathing waters are situated along the west coast of Walney; all three met the higher bathing water standards in 2015. There have been occasions in the previous 5 years where these bathing waters have not met the higher standards. The Council investigated and have noted that bathing waters may only fail to meet the higher standards in certain circumstances, such as a surge of heavy rainfall.

Walney Island has two important nature reserves, North and South Walney. As well as providing a habitat for a number of species of orchid, the North Walney Reserve is a home to the rare Natter jack Toad, which is to be found in only 40 places in Britain. There are also 250 types of birds, 450 flowering plants and 400 species of moths and butterflies. The southerly reserve is managed by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust whilst the one to the north is run by Natural England. South Walney is protected as a Local Geological Site and a Site of Special Scientific Interest for biological and geological importance.

Settlement Profiles Walney

Further Information There are 23 listed buildings within Walney.

Walney is less ethnically diverse than the UK average with 99% of the residents describing themselves as ‘White, British’.

There is a gender split in Walney of approximately 46% Male, 54% Female, which is approximately in line with the rest of the UK.

Conclusion Walney is a fairly urban area surrounded by beautiful coastline. It contains a high level of community services and as such, it can support the level of development proposed in the emerging Local Plan. As the area is one of the largest settlements in the borough and contains a number of key services, 4 sites have been proposed for housing development in the emerging Local Plan.

The infrastructure is capable of sustaining the proposed growth however, the option to construct a second bridge remains a possibility for the long term future and could improve access to the island

Settlement Profiles Hamlets within the Borough

Hamlets within the Borough

Settlement Profiles Hamlets within the Borough

Hamlets within the Borough

There are a number of loose knit/hamlet type developments within Barrow Borough. These hamlets contain a small amount of housing development and very few services, if any at all. They are therefore unsustainable locations for additional housing growth. It is also unlikely that we would achieve a scale of growth within these settlements that would enable a sufficient infrastructure to make them sustainable locations.

Due to the identified environmental designations, constraints, size and poor level of services there is no development potential within these areas. As a result, it would not be appropriate to make them identified settlements in the Local Plan. These settlements include:

• Breast Mill Beck Court • Greenhaume • Greenscoe • Lowsy Point • Paradise • Parkhouse Farm • Peasholme • Stank • Thwaite Flat • Woodbine

Contact: Planning Policy Team Development Services Barrow Borough Council Town Hall Duke Street Barrow-in-Furness Cumbria Email: [email protected] LA14 2LD Website: www.barrowbc.gov.uk/residents/planning/