Plans for new coroner's court at Lillyhall industrial estate

The new facility would be built next to West Cumbria House, on Jubilee Road, at Lillyhall industrial estate, on the outskirts of Workington.

It is designed to meet the needs of the public who attend inquests, as well as stakeholders and staff.

The coroners’ service is currently based at Station Road in Cockermouth but the accommodation is "no longer fit for purpose" and the lease expires in August 2022.

The plans include two court rooms, a jury room, separate entrances for the main public entrance, the jury and office workers and 30 parking spaces, with some charging points for electric vehicles.

Plans for a new coroner's court at Lillyhall, Workington

The interiors will be "warm and welcoming" for members of the public attending the sometimes emotional hearings.

The proposed site was due to be made into additional parking for West Cumbria House, which is owned by the county council.

But since the pandemic, Cumbria County Council has scaled back its plans for the use of West Cumbria House, which has has freed up space to develop.

A number of locations were considered for the new coroners' court and offices, including the former Whitehaven Magistrates' Court building, the goods yard near Workington Railway Station and the former Cavendish House site in Workington.

However, the Lillyhall site was chosen due its transport links, parking opportunities and because the site is already owned by Cumbria County Council.

Plans: A new coroner’s court at Lillyhall, Workington

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.

"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."