Stories from Cumbria you might have missed

Snow leopard Pav died at the age of 19 at Lakeland Wildlife Oasis

Bluebird's return, the future of a collapsed building and town's regeneration plans - here are the stories which made headlines in Cumbria this week.

Plans to rebuild arson-hit library

The council is planning to build a replacement library on the original site

Roose Library in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, was forced to close in May 2023 after flames ripped through the building.

A temporary library was opened for locals to use, but Westmorland and Furness Council said it was now looking at options to build a replacement on the original site.

The Liberal Democrat-led authority said the nature of the fire and negotiations with its insurance firm were among the reasons why replacing the library was taking so long.

A spokesperson said once the insurance payout was finalised it would be factored into how much could be spent on developing the site.

You can read more on the plans here.

Bluebird could run again

The restored Bluebird last ran on water in 2018 in Scotland

Donald Campbell's Bluebird could run again in the Lake District in May as part of a week-long celebration.

The hydroplane was destroyed in January 1967 when Campbell crashed on Coniston Water as he attempted to push his own water speed record past 300mph (480km/h).

After being recovered and restored, and with a lengthy ownership row settled, it was handed to Coniston's Ruskin Museum last year.

The venue's chiefs have now applied to the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) to be able to run the craft on Coniston Water between 10 and 17 May.

Read more about it here.

Oldest snow leopard in British zoo dies

Pav had three cubs with his partner Tara

A snow leopard, which was the oldest living in captivity in Britain, has died.

Pavan, known as Pav, was put "peacefully to sleep" after progressive age-related illnesses, Lakeland Wildlife Oasis confirmed.

The 19-year-old big cat raised three cubs at the zoo near Milnthorpe, Cumbria, with his partner Tara, with a legacy of eight grand cubs and three great-grand cubs.

Director Jo Marsden said Pav, who had appeared in the 2007 film The Golden Compass with his brother before arriving in 2011, was "their favourite animal".

Read more about Pav here.

Calls to repair collapsed building

There are fears further damage to the building could cause flooding

A town is demanding progress over repairs to a collapsed building, two years after the structure crumbled into a river.

Part of the Old Courthouse in Cockermouth, Cumbria, fell into the River Cocker on 8 October 2023. Attempts to deal with the 19th Century structure cost the Environment Agency (EA) £80,000, but the true cost to the taxpayer is expected to be higher.

Local Labour MP Markus Campbell-Savours said "enough is enough" and called on owner Samiul Ahmed to publish his plans.

Mr Ahmed said he had a plan to turn the building into flats and remained "actively engaged" with the EA.

And you can read more on the story here.

Regeneration plans go on show

Residents are being encouraged to give their views on the plans

Plans "to breathe new life" into a town as part of a £3m project could include redeveloping the site of a demolished pub and refurbishing an arts venue.

The proposals for Egremont, Cumbria, included renovating the Florence Arts Centre and transforming the site of the old Red Lion in the town centre to provide opportunities for small businesses, Cumberland Council said.

Put forward by the local authority and Egremont Town Team, and funded by the government, the plans are going on display at Egremont Market Hall.

Council Labour leader Mark Fryer said this was a "major milestone" for the town.

Read more about the plans here.