Plans submitted to formalise former Penrith-area pub as a home
The owner of a pub near Penrith that closed 20 years ago has applied to formally recognise the building as a single residential property.
The Golden Pheasant in Cliburn closed in 2006 after its landlords, Janette and Henry Nicholson, retired.
Since then, the former pub has been used as their home. The old bar area was converted into a lounge, and no commercial activity has taken place at the property or on its surrounding land.
Mr Nicholson has now applied to Westmorland and Furness Council for a lawful development certificate. Confirming that the entire site is used only for residential purposes.
The council has not yet made a decision.
Former pub closed in 2006
The Golden Pheasant is located on the C3056, on the road between Curwen Bank and Trough Gill.
The Nicholsons took over the pub during the 1970s and ran it for several decades before retiring in 2006.
After the pub closed, the building became their permanent home.
Planning documents state that the property has not been used as a pub, business or other commercial premises since its closure.
The application does not propose reopening the pub or making major physical alterations to the building. Instead, it seeks formal confirmation of the way the property has already been used for around two decades.
Mixed-use status could be removed
The building and its land are currently understood to have a mixed-use designation.
This reflects its previous role as both a commercial pub and residential accommodation.
If the application is approved, the premises, associated outbuildings and surrounding land would be recognised as being in single residential use.
The certificate would confirm that any former commercial use has ended and that the property can lawfully continue as a private home.
A lawful development certificate differs from a standard planning application. It asks the council to confirm whether an existing use is lawful based on evidence such as how long that use has continued.
Neighbours support the application
The proposal has received support from people living nearby.
Neighbours recalled the Nicholsons taking over the Golden Pheasant in the 1970s and spoke about the friendships and happy memories created at the pub.
The comments show that the building remains well known within the community, despite having been closed for 20 years.
No details have been provided about any objections to the application.
Council yet to make decision
Westmorland and Furness Council will assess the evidence submitted before deciding whether to issue the lawful development certificate.
The authority will consider whether the property, outbuildings and land have been used solely as a home for the required period.
Approval would not involve a new residential conversion, as the former pub has already been occupied as a house since 2006.
Instead, it would formally update the property’s planning position to reflect its long-standing residential use.
A decision date has not yet been confirmed.
