Work to prepare a key piece of land in the heart of Barrow is nearing completion, so it can provide high-quality homes in the future.

A project to clear and remediate the first six hectares of the Marina Village site got under way last year, thanks to funding of £5.5 million from the Government’s Getting Building Fund administered by Cumbria LEP.

Local construction specialist Thomas Armstrong Ltd was appointed to carry out the work which involved the demolition of existing buildings on the former industrial site off Salthouse Road, removing structures below ground level and decontaminating the land.

Species such as slow worms and common lizards were also relocated to designated conservation areas prior to the works getting under way.

Completion of this section of the site, which is located close to higher education facilities, strategic employment sites and major employers, will pave the way for 214 new homes to be constructed.

Further phases of housing and other development at the 26-hectare site will be part funded through Brilliant Barrow, an ambitious programme which has secured an offer of £25 million in regeneration funding from the Government’s Towns Fund for seven ambitious projects. Each one aims to ensure Barrow thrives as a great place to live, work and visit now and into the future.

Councillor Jonathan Brook, the leader of Westmorland and Furness Council and a member of the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Board, said: “This has been a complex and sizeable project and I’m delighted that Phase 1 of this important site is now almost complete.

“This remediation work helps unlock this former industrial land, so that it can be transformed into a thriving residential community in the centre of Barrow, near to shops, places of work and education and transport links.

“I particularly want to thank residents in the area, who have been extremely patient and understanding throughout this phase of work. We now look forward to progressing this site further and we hope to be able to confirm plans for Phase 2 in the near future.”

Jo Lappin, Chief Executive of Cumbria LEP, said: “It’s important that this site, which has excellent links with education and businesses in Barrow, can be used to deliver much needed new housing. That is why Cumbria LEP was pleased to invest £5.5 million from the Getting Building Fund to prepare the site for development.

“We look forward to seeing attractive new homes being built on the site to meet the needs of our residents, both now and in the future.”

Discussions are also taking place between Westmorland and Furness Council, which owns the site, the Government’s housing agency, Homes England, and wider partners to identify funding for the next phase of remediation works.

An artist’s impression of how part of the Marina Village site, next to Cavendish Dock, could look.