A MUCH-LOVED pub may be turned into homes, according to a newly-submitted planning application.

The Travellers Rest, on High Street in Workington, may be set for some big changes after an application was submitted to Allerdale Borough Council earlier this week - which would see the existing building 'partly demolished' and converted into a home and additional two homes built alongside.

The application is for the 'part demolition, alteration and conversion of public house to create dwelling with detached garage and the creation of two new-build properties'.

After the owners' lease expired in 2020, the pub was put on the market due to 'limited interest' in people wanting to take over the site.

In September 2020, there was hope for the pub to 'return to it's former glory' after Admiral Taverns announced they would spend £130,000 on the refurbishment of the pub if they could find a landlord to take on the lease.

At the time, David Balmanno, business development manager for Admiral Taverns said: “The Travellers Rest is a fantastic opportunity close to the Lake District with a great local and tourist trade.

"With a £130,000 planned spend on the pub to return it to its former glory, as well as the increasing trend for staycations, strong trade in the area looks set to continue and this would make a great investment.

"We’re looking for a landlord who’s passionate about the pub and the area, and will make the most of this opportunity.”

However, after 'limited interest' in the occupancy, the pub was officially closed and sold earlier this year.

The application for the development has suggested that the conversion of the pub will 'enhance the local area', converting the redundant pub to something that can be used in the future.

In documents supporting the application, David Shankland from CDL Architecture said: "The former public house will be sympathetically converted to provide a substantial family home in a desired location, with two new-build properties to compliment the conversion works in style and design in keeping, with surrounding area.

"This will enhance the local area, from a redundant public house and car park, that has been proven to be unviable."

The application was submitted on June 15 and is now under consultation with Allerdale Borough Council.

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