Repairs for listed building due to be handed over

A council is pushing ahead with repairs to a Grade II listed building despite plans to hand it over to charities.

Westmorland and Furness Council intends to dispose of the Nan Tait Centre on Abbey Road, in Barrow.

Cabinet members were told in July it would go to Women's Community Matters and Art Gene through a community asset transfer when a publicly-owned asset is handed over for less than market value or at no cost.

The council has now submitted proposals for a series of fixes to the building, including roof repairs to the leadwork and chimney, replacement of two first floor windows and plaster repairs.

A statement submitted by Align Property Partners on the council's behalf said the works were "required to address deterioration, prevent further moisture ingress, improve building performance, and ensure the long-term preservation of the building".

The transfer plan drew criticism from Reform councillor Hazel Edwards who said the charities "cannot be expected to maintain a listed building alone".

Deputy council leader Andrew Jarvis said the groups wanted the "greater flexibility, freedom and ability to restructure" that ownership would bring.

The Nan Tait, designed by architects Woodhouse and Willoughby, was built in 1903 as a technical school before later being renamed.

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