A former Royal British Legion in Great Broughton has been given the green light to be turned into housing by the council.

The proposal would involve the conversion of an existing building to form a single three-bedroom dwelling with annexed accommodation, within the settlement of Great Broughton.

The building is a two storey stone built property which fronts onto the Main Street.

External alterations are proposed to the ground floor openings of at the rear.

In planning documents it is also confirmed that, although not indicated in the application details, works have commenced on site. The application is, therefore, partially retrospective.

Broughton Parish Council confirmed that they were in agreement that the redevelopment of the building into housing should be passed.

They stated: "The Parish Council have no objections in principle to the site becoming residential but the Parish Council have concerns relating to the lack of parking on the site given the already identified parking issues in this locality, and the fact that the application form doesn’t appear to be correct in its detail about the number of residential units to be included, and the entrances/exits for these units."

As the proposed development would result in the loss of an existing community facility, Allerdale's Planning Policy S26 of the Allerdale Local Plan is applicable.

This policy outlines that existing community facilities which provide people's day to day, social and

cultural needs will be protected". It is further stated that proposals which would result in the loss of an existing community facility will be "refused unless it can be demonstrated that there are alternative facilities are similarly accessible by walking and there is demand for the continued community use, and evidence has be submitted of genuine efforts having been made to market and sell the enterprise as a going concern or to sell or let the property as premises for its current use".

In line with this, The British legion ceased trading and closed the premises in July 2019. The building remained closed until it was sold in March 2020. There was no interest in retaining it for its current use in this time.

As a result, Allerdale Borough Council felt it was appropriate to give the development their approval.