A planning application has gone in to convert a former pub in Heysham into holiday apartments.
The part-retrospective change of use request has been submitted for the Cumberland View on Heysham Road, which has been closed since 2024.
Applicant David Standen has asked for permission for five short-stay visitor apartments on the ground floor, and eight short-stay letting rooms in a shared 'hostel-style' format on the first floor.
The application is for "change of use and conversion of public house with first floor ancillary accommodation to mixed use unit comprising of five apartments for short term holiday accommodation on the ground floor and short term holiday hostel accommodation on the first floor with associated parking".
"The proposals represent the sustainable re-use of a long-term vacant commercial property within the urban area of Morecambe and will contribute positively toward the town’s visitor economy, particularly in anticipation of increased tourism demand associated with the proposed Eden Project North development," said a statement issued with the plans.
"The application also secures the retention and enhancement of an existing building with no external alterations required, thereby preserving the character and appearance of the surrounding street scene.
"In reaching a decision to proceed with an application for this type of development the applicant has been encouraged by a similar proposal for short term letting accommodation approved by the Council at a nearby property fronting onto Sandylands Promenade.
"The public house ceased trading permanently in December 2024 following a prolonged period of operational difficulty.
"Like many other public houses it has struggled in recent years.
"There have been several attempts to revive its fortunes. In 2008, following a grant of planning permission, the second floor was removed which comprised letting rooms and was in poor condition, was removed.
"The pub was badly affected by the Covid crisis and did not reopen for 12 months.
"Thwaites Brewery Group acquired the business in in early 2021 but closed in December 2022.
"A new tenant was manager was appointed and following a complete refurbishment was reopened in July 2023. However, there was only a modest revival in business and the pub closed its doors for the final time in December 2024.
"Thwaites reluctantly concluded that a viable hospitality business in this location was not possible and the site was put up for sale in January 2025.
"This history provides compelling evidence that the premises were no longer commercially viable as a public house use.
"Importantly, the first floor has historically operated as guest accommodation associated with the former public house, and the proposal therefore represents a continuation of visitor accommodation activity within the building rather than the introduction of an entirely new use."
The plans are available to see publicly in the planning section of the Lancaster City Council website lancaster.gov.uk - reference number 26/00624/FUL.
In April, a retrospective application - submitted after work began at the site - for change of use of part of the car park/bowling green at the pub for use for car sales, the laying of hard surface on the bowling green and a single storey side extension to the existing outbuilding for a sales office/valeting, was refused by Lancaster City Council.
Central Car and Van Sales moved their White Lund dealership onto the site in 2025.
Heysham car sales boss "massively disappointed" after losing appeal over ex-pub land
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