Public house and hotel at Two Lions, Great Dockray, Penrith

“The applicant’s intention is to reopen the public house with dining and function space and letting rooms on the upper floors. The applicant wishes to ensure a viable commercial use for this building which has been vacant for a considerable number of years and is in a poor state of repair albeit in a fairly sound condition.”

“The proposed works include: - the provision of toilet facilities and drainage (a crucial facility required for a public house). The proposed work includes the conversion of the former kitchen/stables area on the east side of the building area into toilets including the fitting of cubicles and sanitary ware, sub floor drainage and service runs for plumbing - the removal and relocation of an existing 19th century staircase currently centrally located to the opposite…”

“The Two Lions is a Grade II* listed building which is within Penrith Conservation Area. The building is a significant and important listed building which has been vacant for a considerable number of years.”

“Grade II* listed buildings are defined as ‘particularly important building of more than special interest’ with only 5.8% of listed buildings being grade II* (source: Historic England). The Historic England listed building description which dates from 1983 is set out below: “FORMER TWO LIONS PUBLIC HOUSE AND INTEGRAL STABLES, GREAT DOCKRAY, CA11 7BL Grade II* C17 and C18. Roughcast over stone, 2 low storeys.”

“Listed Building Consent 2023/1212/LBC for internal and external building repairs. Approved with conditions 13/01/2025. This permission relates to works including to a rotten and decaying floor, repairs to external walls, repointing, remediation of structural defects to modern extension and chimney, redecoration of windows and doors, replacement of two rotten window heads, repair to cracked ceiling in a bedroom, roof repairs, replacement of damaged flags to yard.”

“Listed Building Consent 2012/0341 for demolition of modern extensions to rear and north-west of public house and refurbishment works. Approved with conditions 20/12/2012. This application also included removal of plumbing and repairs. The modern extensions housed toilets and were located on what is now the pedestrian area on New Squares.”

“As set out in the Conservation Officer consultation response, the proposed work is accompanied by a detailed breakdown of the works including in several reports and on the plans and provides justification for the works including the public benefit of bringing this long vacant building back into use.”

“The re-use and occupation of the building will help ensure its longevity and public benefits are obtained through the proposed scheme. The revised scheme has considered more fully the impacts of the proposed development on the historic fabric and asset and the application clearly demonstrates that the harm has been avoided, minimised or mitigated where feasible, and the harm clearly and convincingly justified in accordance with paragraph 213.”

“Two letters of objection have been received from Michael Walden of 1 Two Lions Square on 5 October 2024 and 29 May 2026. These were on the basis of the lack of access to the public footpath between Two Lions Square and Great Dockray, the permanent closure of the right of way in the passage and querying legal status of closure.”

“One letter of support has been received from Ron Kenyon at 30 Wordsworth Street on 9 October 2024 on the basis of bringing the listed building with many important features back and although closes the iconic alley access he considers this necessary as part of the proposal.”

“The Planning Officer presented an application for Listed Building Consent for internal and external alterations including a minor extension at the Two-Lions Inn, Penrith. The proposal sought to enable the continued use of the building while retaining its historic character. Officers considered that any harm caused by the alterations would be outweighed by the public benefit of bringing the building back into use.”

“Councillor M Robinson questioned the ownership of the site with the Planning Officer stating that it was owned by Westmorland and Furness Council although leased under the terms of the New Squares lease to Sainsburys. Councillor Robinson proposed the recommendations for approval with Councillor McCall seconding.”

“Prior to any commencement of any work hereby granted consent, the existing building shall be recorded in accordance with a Level 3 Building Recording Survey Report as described in the Historic England Guidance "Understanding Historic Buildings" and moreover within two months of that recording work being done a copy of the resultant Level 3 Building Recording Survey Report and submitted to the Local Planning Authority and approved in writing and thereafter once approved,…”

“Separate approval for the works hereby granted permission/consent may be required by the Building Act 1984 and the Building Regulations 2000 (as amended), and the grant of planning permission does not imply that such approval will be given. The Council’s Building Control Team should be consulted before works commence. Further information can be obtained at https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/planning-and- building-control/building-control…”