CHANGES to a Grade 2 listed site are proposed to support the development of a new footbridge.

Cumbria County Council has submitted an application for listed building consent at the Dovenby Hall site near Cockermouth.

The plans are for the alteration of the existing boundary wall of the listed building which is a former mental health facility. Dovenby Hall is now part of the £10 million M-Sport facility.

Works to the boundary wall will make way for the development of a proposed footbridge over Dovenby Beck.

Planning approval is sought for the deconstruction of the boundary wall and its reconstruction at the rear of the new footpath.

In their Heritage Statement, the applicant said: "Cumbria County Council will propose to construct a new footbridge adjacent to the existing road bridge on the A594 which will require repositioning of the existing boundary wall to Dovenby Hall.

"The alteration to the existing boundary wall will have a negligible effect on the existing structure and surroundings.

"The proposed works will have a minimal impact on the significance, appearance and setting of Dovenby Hall whilst creating an accessible route for potential users of the highway who are unable to use it in its current condition."

Plans for the new footbridge are to address safety fears about the A594. Pedestrians currently have to share the road bridge with vehicles to cross Dovenby Beck.

In the initial application to build the footbridge, the applicant said: “There is a potential risk to pedestrians from high speed vehicular traffic as no footway exists at the current location, so the construction of a new footbridge would divert pedestrians onto a safer route.”

A new footbridge would be 10 metres in length and 1.2 metres wide and will bear on concrete abutments. The site of the proposed new bridge is on the Village Green opposite the Ship Inn.

The construction of the footbridge is still under consultation and has received support from Allerdale councillor Nicky Cockburn, who represents Broughton St Bridget’s ward.

Dovenby’s Village Green area sits within a high-risk flood area but the county council's team plan to implement measures that will mitigate the risk.

The public can view and comment on all applications submitted for approval.

Representations of support or objection will be considered by the planning panel when they decide whether to grant permission for a development.

To view this application visit: https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/planning-building-control/planning-applications/ and search: LBC/2021/0038