Work begins on £2.6m Earnse Hub
Geared towards helping people delight in the nature at Walney, the hub project consists of a modular camping support building, a community café, and an activity space – with the island’s wild open spaces and trail network being maintained.
Thomas Armstrong is the main contractor for the groundwork and landscaping for the Westmorland and Furness Council scheme. Enevate Homes is providing the modular buildings that make up the Earnse Hub. The revamped Walney visitor services, which will sit on eight acres, will complete in early 2026.
The project has been through several iterations since it was envisoned as part of the £25m Brilliant Barrow Town Deal. Planning permission as granted for an earlier version in March 2023, but this was changed following community feedback.
“It is wonderful to see work start on the ground on what will be a fantastic facility for all in such a special setting,” said Cllr Helen Chaffey, the council’s cabinet member for community services.
“The Earnse Hub will be accessible to a range of groups and organisations such as local schools, community groups, voluntary and community sector parties, alongside the wider community and beyond,” she continued.
“A valuable resource for residents but also a destination for visitors from which they can explore the unique natural beauty of Walney and Furness as a whole.”
The hub was designed by Align Property Partners, with support from Westwood Landscape and Rigby Jerram. To learn more about the application, search reference number B12/2024/0465 on Westmorland and Furness Council’s Barrow-in-Furness planning portal.
The council-led hub is just one aspect of the future plans for Walney. The other comes from Natural England, which is working to deliver a beach school with workshops, classrooms, and meeting areas for the volunteer and staff based at its North Walney National Nature Reserve.
Natural England is seeking additional funding to support the delivery of the school, with a funding application due to be made later this year. Already the scheme has secured support from Westmorland and Furness Council, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, and Art Gene.
