Lake District ironworks buildings approved for conversion to home

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 07:03 · Archive

The Lake District National Park Authority has approved converting two historic buildings at the former Backbarrow Ironworks into a five-bedroom dwelling.

The Lake District National Park Authority has approved converting the former Pug Mill and Laboratory buildings at the Backbarrow Ironworks into a five-bedroom dwelling. The application by Mr J Asplin was approved with conditions on 7 October 2026.

The two buildings form part of the former ironworks site, a Scheduled Ancient Monument listed on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register because of deteriorating conditions. Planning documents describe both buildings as in poor condition. The conversion is unusual because it creates an unrestricted open-market home, which departs from the national park's normal housing policy requiring occupancy restrictions on new homes.

Planning officers concluded exceptional circumstances justified approval. They said the development would secure the long-term future of an at-risk heritage asset, bring vacant historic buildings back into use, and would be unlikely to be financially viable if occupancy restrictions were imposed. The applicant's viability assessment estimated conversion costs at around £1.8 million.

The scheme includes extensive restoration works, new windows and glazing, flood resilience measures, landscaping, renewable energy technology and a five-space car park.

How it is being reported

• Historic Lake District ironworks buildings to become five-bedroom homeA historically significant industrial building in the Lake District will be given a new lease of life after plans were approved to convert it into a home.Westmorland Gazette · 14 Oct, 06:00
• Historic Lake District ironworks buildings to become five-bedroom homeA historically significant industrial building in the Lake District will be given a new lease of life after plans were approved to convert it into a home.NW Evening Mail · 14 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Lake District National Park Authority · Mr J Asplin · Backbarrow Ironworks · Lake District · Historic England

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