A LANDMARK Barrow hotel could be transformed into homes under new plans unveiled this week.

The Victoria Park Hotel, in Victoria Road, went under the hammer at a property auction in Ulverston in February.

The future of the well known 43-bedroom Grade II listed property has been uncertain since it was snapped up for £360,000 - £40,000 less than its guide price.

But the new owners of the iconic building, Michael Mulgrew, from Walney, and sons Simon and Michael Mulgrew, now hope it can begin a new chapter as 18 individual flats.

The group are also seeking planning consent to build five new houses on the adjoining car park in a bid to make the project financially viable.

Each flat would have a car parking space while two spaces would be allocated to each house.

The scheme, which has been submitted to Barrow Borough Council’s planning team, is expected to go before the authority’s decision-makers in November.

Simon Mulgrew said the possible conversion of the building was an entirely new project for the family, which runs South Walney Caravan Park.

"We are hoping to get the go ahead to turn it into quality flats," he told the Evening Mail.

"The outside of the building wouldn't change at all, just the maintenance work that is needed.

"But the inside would be altered to become flats.

"We did look at putting it back to a quality hotel, but it would have cost too much money to regenerate."

Mr Mulgrew, who said the project could take around 12 months to complete if the plans were given a green light, added: "We're hoping we get a successful outcome at the committee."

Former Victoria Park Hotel owner Ian Alexander, who lived at the property for 21 years and met wife Maureen there, said he hoped the plans marked the start of a new era for the building.

“We love the building,” he said.

“My wife started work there when she was 15 and it’s where we met.

“To think the building could have a future is fantastic - I would much rather see it transformed than for it to be demolished like some other properties.

“It’s one the last great listed buildings in Barrow.”

Mr Alexander, 74, who has now retired, added: “If it’s got a new lease of life, that’s great. I wish the new owners well with it.”