AMBITIOUS plans to build a museum on land previously used as a Royal Navy Arms Depot are set to receive a verdict next week.

Allerdale Borough Council’s development panel will meet on Tuesday at 10am to give a decision on a number of planning applications.

Amongst them is a bid by the Derwent Forest Development Consortium to build a museum/visitor’s centre with a gatehouse, parking and infrastructure in Broughton Moor.

The museum, if approved would educate the public on the location’s former life as Broughton Moor Royal Navy Armaments Depot.

Times and Star: Some buildings from Derwent Forest's military past still remainSome buildings from Derwent Forest's military past still remain

If approved, the development would be built on the very land that previously held a helipad.

Broughton Parish Council has objected "on strong grounds" due to the potential highways impacts through the village.

They said that "access via Seaton is unrealistic."

The parish council believe that no evidence has been given “on the purpose of the visitor centre."

But the developer has said: “The overarching purpose of the visitor centre is to begin to allow community access to Derwent Forest.

"It will act as a museum to showcase the site’s rich history and former use as the RNAD site and will also serve as a memorial to those who lost their lives on site in the 1944 explosion."

Broughton Moor Parish Council has requested that the council seeks a section 106 order, tying the developer into a legal agreement to ensure the development brings benefits to Broughton Moor, "which is lacking in amenities."

The site is also a relic of Allerdale’s mining history and as such, the Coal Authority has supported a recommendation to carry out an investigation of the site, determining if works could pose a risk.

Derwent Forest Development Consortium has said that the proposed visitor’s centre will play a part in the overall redevelopment of the RNAD site.

READ MORE: Allerdale Council to give verdict on 71 homes in Great Broughton

A controversial plan to build 71 homes at the site was refused by the planning panel in March.

Councillors were concerned about the “piecemeal” approach to development at the site.

But a report on the proposed museum prepared for the panel reads: "The application’s details demonstrate modern utilitarian design which in officer’s opinion is reflective of the function and history of the site and the nature of existing military buildings found elsewhere on the site.

"The site of the centre is isolated and therefore not prominent to public view."