A DILAPIDATED former pub, which dates back to the 19th century, is due to be knocked down and replaced with apartments if plans are approved.

Proposals have been put forward to turn the Queens Arms in Barrow's Rawlinson Street into 21 one-bedroom apartments.

Under the plans, the pub, which dates back to around 1853, would be demolished.

It is said to have fallen into disrepair since it closed in 2009.

Plans for the 40 square-metre apartments have been submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council by the Lancashire-based Westwise Developments.

The Mail: Queen's Arms. Credit: Design and access statement (Westmorland and Furness council)Queen's Arms. Credit: Design and access statement (Westmorland and Furness council) (Image: Design and access statement (Westmorland and Furness council))

The pub sits next to the St George's Square conservation area, which includes listed former workers' cottages in Salthouse Road and St George's Church.

A statement submitted with the plans said: "In this instance, the public house use of the building ceased more than 15 years ago and it has not been possible to find an alternative viable use.

"During this period, the structural condition of the building has deteriorated beyond repair and as such its demolition and rebuilding with new will enhance the setting of the adjacent Conservation Area."

Plans say the new building would be in keeping with the area's 'historic context' and not have an adverse impact on neighbours.

The Mail:

The statement said: "The proposal has been designed to ensure it respects amenity of the existing smaller-scale adjacent residential properties to Salthouse Road and Rawlinson Street in accordance with Local Plan policies.

"The proposed layout has carefully considered the position of non-habitable rooms, layout and window orientation in relation to neighbouring properties and existing habitable rooms.

"A sunlight and daylight assessment has been carried out in the Design and Access Statement which demonstrates that the proposed building is a lower height than the existing public house building therefore, for the majority of the neighbours, shadowing from the building will be reduced from the existing.

" In terms of neighbouring buildings, the most sensitive to changes to daylight and sunlight are the closest residential properties - number 4 Rawlinson Street and numbers 7-10 Salthouse Road.

"Number 4 Rawlinson Street is to the north of the site but there will be minimal difference between the existing and proposed buildings in terms of direct shadows."

The plans are out for public consultation.