Plans for new visitor attraction approved for Millom

Cumberland Council first submitted the planning application to build the new facilities in June 2025 which are set to increase local and visitor engagement with the area's natural landscape and heritage assets.

The site is set to become known as The Iron Line.

The approved plans will see a visitor centre built at the current nature reserve in Hodbarrow (Image: Cumberland Council Planning Application)

Currently occupied by the RSPB who purchased the land in 1986, the Hodbarrow reserve is located on the site of a former iron ore mine.

At present, the reserve is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but Cumberland Council now intend to make it an "improved recreational asset for the local community" which offers "a regionally significant visitor attraction."

The application was approved on March 24, 2026 and changes to the site are set to follow.

Approved proposals include the installation of a café and shop, a group room, plus staff/volunteer toilet facilities and a new car park.

Permission has also been granted for the consolidation, repair and installation of an interpretive sculpture at Towsey Hole Windwill, the refurbishment of an existing tern hide and new bird hides and viewing screens.

New pathways, gateway features, street furniture and enhancement of wildlife habitats are further planned alongside the associated landscaping and drainage infrastructure.

The visitor centre will function as a meeting place for groups and educational activities (Image: Cumberland Council Planning Application)

The visitor centre is set to become a multi-use space for events, exhibitions, and learning.

In September 2019, Millom became one of 101 places invited to work with the Government to propose a Town Deal with up to £25 million in funds available from the wider £3.6bn Towns Fund.

As part of the Millom Town Deal, these plans for The Iron Line were put forward in a bid to create more jobs for local people, to educate visitors about the heritage, ecology, landscape of the area, and to offer opportunities for public art.

The site is currently owned by the RSPB (Image: Cumberland Council Planning Application)

Millom Town deal also hope that the new plans will support the long term management of habitats and offer biodiversity net gain at Hodbarrow.

Cumberland Council's design and access statement for the plans outlined problems facing the site in its current state, such as vandalism, damage caused by vehicles, limited shelter, signage, seating and bins which they hope to resolve.

Their plans include an intention to develop a "circular" walking route that embraces RSPB Hodbarrow and "offers an improved resource for the local community and day visitors."

The visitor centre meanwhile will be designed as "a focal point for new arrivals that offers architectural interest, shelter and panoramic views."

Millom Town Deal believe The Iron Line project could create up to 26 jobs for local people, plus eight possible permanent roles once the visitor centre shop is up and running.

Natural habitats will be taken into consideration throughout the building process (Image: Cumberland Council Planning Application)

A new car park could see up to 60 spaces for vehicles making the site more accessible, and plans are also set to see approximately 120 trees planted at the reserve.

Habitat management has also been taken into consideration, with proposals to avoid sensitive habitats and species by "focusing development in other locations", plans to support the management objectives of the RSPB as landowner, and finding ways to support protected species by exploring ways to increase their habitats.

Conditions of starting work on the new facilities require Cumberland Council to begin building in the next three years, and to comply with various safety and management plans and regulations as set out by the council.

No word has yet been given by Cumberland Council on when the development is officially to commence.