Plans are under way to transform one of Cockermouth’s best viewpoints into a beauty spot with wheelchair access.

The land where the Rivers Cocker and Derwent meet, beneath Cockermouth Castle, has views across to Memorial Gardens and up and down the river. However, ageing benches and untidy shrubbery mean it is not the most pleasant place to sit and enjoy the scenery.

All that is about to change thanks to a partnership initiative between Allerdale council, Cockermouth Town Council, housing developer Lovell and Jennings Brewery.

Lovell, which is building 217 homes at The Laureates, off Low Road, is providing around £13,000 towards the estimated £16,000 costs of the project, with an additional £3,000 coming from Allerdale council’s town centre funding. 

Each year, the council distributes £10,000 to each of the borough’s seven towns, plus the village of Seaton.

This is spent on improvement projects which are decided in conjunction with the town councils.

Lovell was keen to get involved in a legacy project which would benefit those who live and work in the town, as well as its visitors. 

Jennings Brewery owns most of the area which is being improved by the project and will be a part of the steering group leading the project.

The landscaping project will include the improvement of the seating areas and repair of the retaining walls.

A wheelchair-accessible path will be created, and additional ideas include a new quiet seating area to the north of the site. 

Swathes of daffodils and wild flowers will be planted and native riverside flora encouraged to bloom, while the existing vegetation will be thinned out to open up the views. 

A heritage plaque will also be installed to reveal the area’s history.

Alan Smith, leader of Allerdale council and a member of Cockermouth Town Council, said: “I think this is one of the most important sites in town – it is the ‘mouth of the Cocker’ from where the town takes its name – so it is great to see it is going to be transformed into a real beauty spot.”

Lovell regional director Nigel Yates said: “Wherever the company is building homes, creating lasting benefits for the wider community is very important to us and we are really delighted to help restore and transform such a significant location for Cockermouth.”