LAND in between two residential streets is to be sold off by a council for a housing development.

Barrow Borough Council's executive committee has agreed in principle to sell off the piece of land which Beach Street and Sharp Street, in Askam, both back on to. 

The council was approached by the owner of the land adjacent to the site as he would like to buy the land and develop the area into housing.

The undeveloped area of land, which covers around a hectare, is now open to general public access in the village. 

During the committee's meeting this week, councillors heard that, over the years, residents have extended their back gardens onto the council-owned land and they have also erected buildings and storage compounds on parts of this land. 

The council has said that due to the long-standing nature of many of these constructions they will not be seeking to remove them. But the local authority said that it has taken action against the more recent constructions on its site.    

Phil Huck, executive director of Barrow Borough Council, said: "We would grant titles for those who have been on there for a long time.

"These areas will be passed over to the people on there.

"With the more recent ones, we have taken action." 

Mr Huck said the site has been in the Local Plan for potential development for a considerable amount of time. 

He said the potential buyer wanted the council to have the granting of titles to the residents in place. 

No price tag for the land was discussed during the meeting. 

The council will now start detailed feasibility work for the land sale.