CUMBRIA County Council has submitted plans for a new £1.5million coroners’ court and offices.
The new purpose-built coroners’ inquest courts and offices will be in a quiet location on the outskirts of Workington, at Lillyhall, and will be designed to meet the needs of the public who attend inquests, also stakeholders and staff.
The build is described as ‘a breakthrough in construction’, using sustainable and innovative ideas whilst at the same time providing a ‘calm and modern’ environment.
Cllr Celia Tibble, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “The coroners’ service is used at a hugely difficult and emotional periods in an individual’s life and this building, will be built with this in mind, to make the journey for individuals, through the inquest and bereavement process as easy, and as positive as is possible.”
Cllr David Southward, Cabinet member for economic development and property said: “The new coroners’ court will be large and well-ventilated building, that will be environmentally-friendly with a keen focus on visitors wellbeing.
“Its new location has excellent transport links via bus and train and also has lots of parking on the site. I look forward to seeing how the project progresses.”
The current coroners’ office is located at Fairfield, Cockermouth, and remains open for families to attend inquests. The Allerdale-based office takes care for deaths that have occurred in Carlisle, Brampton, Longtown, Wigton, Keswick, Cockermouth, West Cumbria, the Solway coast, and Millom areas.
When a death occurs, and is reportable to HM Coroner, there is a requirement to arrange for the deceased to be conveyed from the place of death to an appropriate mortuary facility, pending either a post-mortem examination or further investigation, often then resulting in an inquest being held.
The service seeks to discharge its duties impartially, with the sole view of ascertaining the facts surrounding a death for the purpose meeting their statutory and legal responsibilities.
Cumbria County Council expects the planning application to be determined later this year, with construction starting in the new year.
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