Chance to shape exciting centre for beautiful Earnse Bay

Barrow Borough Council media release

People are being urged to share their views on what they would like to see included in the designs of a new outdoor community space at beautiful Earnse Bay.

The designers’ initial ideas showing how the area might look when it is nestled into the Walney coastline will be presented this week by Cumbria County Council.

The concepts - which have been developed by Align Property Partners, working with Collingridge and Smith Architects, PJA and Ludiocology with input from the Eden Project - draw upon ideas put forward by members of the public, stakeholder groups and children at five local schools during a series of engagement events to create the visual representation.

Now, the ideas, sketch and plans are to go on display so people can offer their thoughts and feedback at a number of drop-in sessions.

Comments can also be made via an online survey available via social media and the #BrilliantBarrow website.

The proposed outdoor community hub at Earnse Bay forms part of the #BrilliantBarrow initiative - a series of innovative projects to have secured an offer of £25 million in funding from the Government’s Towns Fund.

Once constructed, it is hoped the location will host activities and programmes to promote health and wellbeing, education, sustainability, the environment and green energy from its picturesque coastal location.

Councillor Anne Burns, Local Member for Cumbria County Council and a member of the Barrow Town Deal Board, said: “This particular project is really exciting and one that will bring a huge number of benefits to the whole community.

“I think the design is inspiring and of the highest architectural standard, something this beautiful location rightly deserves.

“I hope people will take this opportunity to get involved, give us their feedback on the design and help refine the final details of the plans over the coming days and weeks.”

Barrow was one of the first towns in the country to submit a successful Towns Fund bid last year - securing an offer of £25 million from the Government, the maximum amount available.

Earnse Bay outdoor community space would be one of four community hubs in Barrow where local people will be supported to develop skills, access services and come together to build strong and resilient communities following the Covid-19 pandemic.

A detailed business case is being drawn up for the project which will be submitted to the Government this autumn as part of the process towards unlocking the promised funding.

Councillor Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Borough Council and a fellow member of Barrow Towns Deal Board, said: “It’s exciting to see this inspiring project start to come to life, taking into account the ideas brought forward by people across the borough.

“From the very start, this has been a #BrilliantBarrow project that has been shaped by the community it will serve, something that is fantastic to see.

“A huge amount of work is going on behind the scenes to develop a detailed business case for this project to unlock the promised funding from the Government. We all look forward to seeing the benefits this outdoor community space will bring to people across the borough for years to come.”

The drop in sessions will take place here:

- Friday, June 25 - Walney Library Courtyard

10am to 12 noon / 12.30pm to 2.30pm

- Monday, June 28 - Walney Golf Course

12 noon to 2pm

- Tuesday, June 29 - Walney One Stop Shop

12 noon to 2pm

- Tuesday, June 29 - West Shore Retirement Park (located in car park opposite the site)

10am to 2pm

- Wednesday, June 30 - Barrow Market

10.30am to 2.30pm

- Thursday, July 1 - Barrow Library

- 10am to 12 noon

In addition, drop in sessions will also take place at The Roundhouse on Walney, on the following dates and times:

Friday, June 25 - 10am to 12 noon

Monday, June 28 - 12 noon to 2pm

Wednesday, June 30 - 2pm to 4pm

Thursday, July 1 - 10am to 12 noon

If you are unable to attend a drop in session, information on the scheme will be available to view until 1st July in Barrow Library.