Plans to bring one of Penrith's most historic buildings back to life as a pub and hotel are expected to be approved this week after planning officers recommended councillors give the scheme the go-ahead.
Westmorland and Furness Council's Eden Local Area Planning Committee will consider the revised listed building consent application for the Grade II listed former Two Lions on Great Dockray at its meeting on Wednesday, with officers recommending approval despite an outstanding objection from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).
The application has been submitted by Two Lions Hotel Limited and would see the long-vacant building restored and reopened as a public house with dining and function space on the ground and first floors, hotel letting rooms on the upper floors and manager's accommodation. The revised plans also include a new accessible toilet, commercial kitchen, relocation of the main staircase, new bar area and extensive internal repairs needed to make the historic building commercially viable once again.
The Two Lions, originally known as New Hall, dates back to at least the 15th century before becoming a public house during the mid-19th century. Historic England describes it as a remarkably well-preserved medieval hall house containing exceptionally rare 16th century plaster ceilings, painted beams and original medieval features. The building has stood empty for around two decades.
One of the most controversial aspects of the proposal remains the historic passageway linking New Squares with Great Dockray.
The route, which many residents used as a shortcut for years before it was closed, would not be retained as a public through route under the approved plans, with the passage instead being incorporated into the enlarged ground floor trading area of the pub.
When Penrith Town Council considered the plans it backed the restoration of the building, saying it would "enliven the area and expand the hospitality possibilities". However, councillors also said they wanted the passageway between New Squares and Great Dockray retained for public use and confirmed they had submitted an application to have it recorded as a public right of way.
That bid has since failed. The planning report notes that the Eden Local Area Planning Committee voted in December 2025 to refuse the continued processing of the application to add the route as a public footpath. As a result, the council's Countryside Access team has raised no objection to the current planning application.
Two objections have nevertheless been lodged against the latest proposals, both centred on the closure of the alleyway and questioning the legal status of preventing public access. One letter of support argues that bringing the important listed building back into use outweighs the loss of the "iconic" passageway.
Planning officers say the revised scheme has overcome many of the concerns initially raised by Historic England and other heritage organisations. Historic England, which originally objected, now supports the revised proposals, saying there is sufficient justification for the alterations and that the limited harm to the building is outweighed by the public benefits of bringing it back into use after around 20 years of vacancy.
If councillors accept the officers' recommendation on Wednesday, the long-awaited restoration of one of Penrith's most significant historic buildings could finally move a step closer to becoming reality.
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
