THE Furness Railway developed grand plans to make Seascale a seaside resort to rival Eastbourne.

On August 10 in 1870, the Furness Railway directors went to Seascale for a meeting with some directors of the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway.

It was noted in the minutes: “After luncheon we walked over some of the adjoining land which had been secured with a view to some building on a small scale.

“There is good bathing and a fine open sea and I think it not unlikely a moderate number of lodging houses may answer.

“Probably also some Leeds people and others may be induced to build there.”

After a meeting of directors at Barrow on February 12 in 1878 the Duke of Devonshire noted: “After our business was over we went up to Seascale where we have at last got permission to encourage building operations.

“We have reason to believe that several persons are desirous to build there and there seems a fair probability that the thing will answer.

“It does not seem to me to be a very attractive place but it is probably the best on this part of the coast.”

The railway company bought the Seascale Estate in 1878 for £4,000.

A plan from December 20 in 1878 shows a proposed residential development with a hotel, pier and promenade.

A detailed scheme was drawn up by Kemp of Birkenhead a year later but very little had been achieved by 1898.