PLANNING permission is being sought to create a new welcome building, walkways and art installations as part of a project to sensitively transform a popular nature reserve.
The Iron Line would see the unique sea wall and coastal lagoon off the coast of Millom sensitively enhanced to form a fully inclusive route across RSPB Hodbarrow.
This project will help attract more visitors, enhancing the local economy, alongside increasing levels of health and wellbeing. This project also helps to support Millom’s growing offer as a beautiful landscape to live in, visit and enjoy.
A planning application for the built elements of the scheme, which forms part of the Millom Town Deal – has now been submitted to Cumberland Council.
David Savage, Chair of the Millom Town Deal Board, said: “This is the second project within the transformative Town Deal programme to reach the stage at which it can be submitted to the local planning authority with work continuing behind the scenes on the remaining two significant projects:
- Activating Community Health
- Connected Millom and Haverigg
“This planning application follows quickly on from the planning submission for the Arts and Enterprise Centre and demonstrates that the projects are now gaining momentum on their journey towards delivering their stated outcomes for Millom and Haverigg.
“The Iron Line has the potential to be transformative for Millom.
“Particularly important is the increased opportunity for everyone to access a beautiful and inspirational location, something that is so important for levels of health and wellbeing and commits our area to the principle of inclusive access for all.
“There are also the benefits it will bring to the wider economy of the area.
“We will look forward to bringing further updates about the two remaining projects as they become available.”
Millom Town Deal secured £20.6 million from the Government’s Towns Fund in November 2022 with an additional £8.7 million in match funding to help the town and its communities to thrive in the future.
The planning application for The Iron Line seeks permission to create a new welcome centre at the location with a cafe and bar, retail area and events room created with adjacent car parking, access and landscaping.
Wildlife habitats would also be enhanced and a new multi-use pathway would be installed with signage and street furniture.
And new bird hides and viewing platforms would be installed while the existing bird hide would benefit from a new living roof.
The Iron Line planning application will be decided at a future meeting of Cumberland Council’s Planning Committee.