Barrow industrial site 'decontaminated' ahead of development

The local authority released an artist impression of how the scheme could look

Land on a former industrial site has been "decontaminated" ahead of the planned construction of 214 homes.

Westmorland and Furness Council said the first six hectares (15 acres) of the Marina Village site in Barrow-in-Furness had been cleaned up.

The local authority said it had to prepare a "key piece of land" before properties could be built.

Buildings across the site, off Salthouse Road, have also been demolished as part of the project.

Work to clean the land belonging to the first phase of the former industrial zone started last year.

However, funding will need to be agreed before other parts of the 26 hectare (64 acre) site are also cleaned up.

Jonathan Brook, Westmorland and Furness Council leader and Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Board member, said the clean-up had been a "complex and sizeable" undertaking.

"This remediation work helps unlock this former industrial land, so that it can be transformed into a thriving residential community in the centre of Barrow, near to shops, places of work and education and transport links.

"I particularly want to thank residents in the area, who have been extremely patient and understanding throughout this phase of work."

The project has received £5.5m from the Getting Building Fund through the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which helps administer local funding.

Further phases of the project, which are yet to be decided, are being funded by the government's Towns Fund.

Jo Lappin, chief executive of Cumbria LEP, said: "We look forward to seeing attractive new homes being built on the site to meet the needs of our residents, both now and in the future."