Backbarrow Ironworks

The site of the former Backbarrow Ironworks in South Lakeland, Cumbria, is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and on the Heritage at Risk Register. Following developer insolvency, the site was left partially complete.

Acting as part of a team led by Duff & Phelps (Kroll), the corporate restructuring specialists, we created a feasibility study and development plan for a viable regeneration project. Our goal was to deliver a project that improved upon the original scheme, providing a greater volume of units, with a more practical approach to access to help reduce construction costs.

Our team reviewed the existing structure and assessed the constraints of the previously approved planning application. This allowed us to provide a solution which maintained the integrity of the existing party walls, redesigning the 17 houses into 43 apartments and 5 houses.

After gaining the support of the local council, the site completed in 2018.