THE COUNCIL will decide on plans to demolish a former dance hall, replacing it with a two-story development including retail and accommodation.

Allerdale Council will consider a planning application to demolish Princess Hall on Princess Street, Workington.

The proposal, submitted by Redacre Investments Limited, involves replacing the building with homes and retail units.

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The proposed two storey mixed use building will accommodate two retail spaces at ground floor with seven apartments on the first floor.

If plans are given the greenlight, it will be built alongside four town houses.

Princess Hall was a much loved dancehall in a past life, the source of fond memories for many of the town’s older generation.

More recently, the building was used as a second-hand furniture store. But Redacre Investments said: “The deterioration of the building and its immediate environs has resulted in a significant negative impact upon the visual quality of the area, detracting from its potential vibrancy and sense of place for residents and visitors alike.

“Ultimately the site has very little to contribute to the local area. The site currently is a very poor quality environment and is in urgent need of redevelopment.”

The council’s Development Control Committee will consider the planning application in a meeting at Allerdale House on Tuesday May 10.

While Cumbria County Council, as highways authority have raised no objections, Workington Town Council have a number of concerns.

The town council has objected on the grounds that there was “insufficient time to fully consider the application.”

They also argue that while the development would include retail, there are empty retail units in the town centre.

The town council added: “There is insufficient loading areas identified if the retail units were to be granted which would, in turn, encroach on neighbouring parking spaces.”

Town councillors have received “a number of objections” from neighbouring constituents.

Environmental Health has asked that an investigation is carried out exploring the risk of contamination from ground gasses from old mine workings in the area.