Location, location, location! Opportunities like this are increasingly rare, whilst we admit Beach Arbour is now a rather tired property in an overgrown garden, the true value and potential lies in the unique position and fabulous views. This is a chance to unlock latent potential and value. The plot measures c.0.22 acres and is currently a sloping informal garden with a few mature trees. Beach Arbour is currently a three bedroom bungalow with garaging and an undercroft workshop beneath offering the buyer three distinct options. Firstly, renovate as it stands. Secondly, remodel and extend internally into the lower ground space and finally, demolish and construct a contemporary house further up the site – a true Grand Design prospect. Valid planning permissions exist for the second and third options.

Looking for a project? Beach Arbour is great now, but it could be something very special indeed with a multitude of possibilities depending on your aspirations and budget.

Location

Arnside lies in a coastal position in south Cumbria, close to the border with Lancashire. It faces the estuary of the River Kent on the north-eastern corner of Morecambe Bay, within the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is overlooked by Arnside Knott which is owned by the National Trust and an ever popular walk as it delivers great views for a relatively modest incline of 520 ft. The village is a haven for birds and the surrounding countryside contains a wealth of flora and fauna. A small fishing village until 1857 when the railway arrived (built to connect the industrial port of Barrow with towns further south) and that coupled with road improvements later in the century provided greater access to and from the village. The impressive Arnside Viaduct (rebuilt in 1915 and 522 yards long with 50 piers) crosses over the river and carries the railway. An attractive promenade and stone built pier (rebuilt in 1984 after storm damage) were built and as the Victorian tourists discovered Arnside it began to develop a reputation for being an idyllic spot, with the Kent estuary being the county’s only access to the seaside.

Today Arnside is still popular with holiday makers and is a popular place to live for those seeking a quieter life. Surrounded by open countryside it is easy to reach by road (Junctions 35 and 36 of the M6 are both under 10 miles away depending on the direction of your travel) or rail as Arnside is fortunate to have retained its station giving connections to Lancaster (on the main West Coast line), Barrow, Ulverston, Grange-over-Sands, Carnforth and Carlisle. The nearest station on the main West Coast line is at Oxenholme (near Kendal) which is around a 12 mile drive.

In terms of everyday needs, Arnside has a selection of shops and galleries which predominantly lie along the promenade, including a general grocery store and a Post Office. There are a couple of pubs and a number of cafes, a village hall, primary school and three churches; Anglican, Catholic and Methodist. Arnside is also the starting place of the exceptionally popular Cross Bay Walk over to Kents Bank, an eight-mile guided walk held for various charities throughout the summer months.

There is a wider selection of local services and shops in Milnthorpe (4.4 miles distant with a Booths supermarket), Carnforth (slightly further away at just under 10 miles with another branch of Booths as well as a Tesco and Aldi) and Kendal (a 12.4 mile drive, where you’ll find M&S and Sainsbury’s).

Nature abounds, Arnside is a location for anyone that loves the great outdoors, not only is it within the Silverdale and Arnside AONB but the National Parks of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, the Forest of Bowland AONB and the Lune Valley are all reachable for day trips.

The nearest city is Lancaster which has much to offer all generations with an established cultural and music scene, bars and restaurants serving cuisines from around the world, high street and independent shops, professional services, two universities (Lancaster and Cumbria) and both private and NHS hospitals.

An excellent development opportunity

Unassuming Beach Arbour has been in the hands of the current family since the 1970s during which time it has been much loved as a holiday home for threegenerations. It’s hard not be impressed by the setting, it’s unique, nestled at the bottom of a sloping site it enjoys great views in a north westerly direction across the estuary and also up the River Kent towards the Lakeland Fells beyond the
stately viaduct to the north east – this view, especially on a winter’s morning with snow on the tops is particularly special.

After years of enjoyment, with great reluctance the decision has been made to sell, however the owners fully realise that the current property either requires a complete overhaul or alternatively a more ambitious scheme involving demolition to make way for an exciting, contemporary new build project. With this in mind, plans have been drawn up for the existing dwelling to be remodeled, the living accommodation extended into the current lower ground floor garage and workshop and a detached double garage built. As an alternative, planning permission has been granted for the demolition of the existing building, excavation of a small area of land and construction of a new dwelling further up the hillside to take even greater advantage of the stunning views on offer. 

The current accommodation provides single level living accommodation of a central hall off which is a sitting/dining room, small kitchen, two double bedrooms, a third single bedroom, a bathroom and additional cloakroom. Due to the gradient of the land there is an underbuilt garage and workshop and an attached store. There is gas fired central heating and PVC double glazing.

Step outside

The plot measures c.0.22 acres and is currently a sloping informal garden with off road parking for one or two cars and a few established trees which add great maturity to the site and focal points for a new landscaping scheme.

Option 1

Refurbish as the current property stands.

Option 2

In respect to the remodelling and conversion option, plans have been drawn (but not submitted for any consent) to provide a super open plan living kitchen with a separate utility room, store and cloakroom on the ground floor and on the lower ground floor, four double bedrooms and two house bathrooms. The current lean-to store remains and a detached double garage is built adjacent to the parking area.

A scheme has been granted planning permission by SLDC (now Westmorland and Furness Council) on the 20 October 2022, reference SL/2021/0341. Full details may be viewed online by visiting www.
southlakeland.gov.uk. The architect’s proposals are shown here. The proposed remodeled dwelling would provide 1151 sq ft (170 sq m) of gross internal area, excluding the proposed garage.

Option 3

This is an altogether more ambitious project but one that is designed to maximise the views by placing the newly built house more centrally in the garden and leveling out the site to create a useable garden.

A scheme has been granted planning permission by Westmorland and Furness Council on the 21st July 2023, reference SL/2022/1160. Full details may be viewed online by visiting www.southlakeland.gov.uk.

These plans show the main entrance to be from the back of the house, straight in at first floor level where the living accommodation has been placed to command the premier views – a spacious and contemporary open plan living kitchen having sliding doors opening to a large seating terrace. There’s a second reception room for a snug, office or playroom and a utility room and hall at this level. Steps lead down to the bedroom accommodation on the ground floor. The principal suite has a bedroom, dressing room and ensuite. There are three further double bedrooms, a house bathroom, utility room and boot room on this floor. Three of the bedrooms have been designed with sliding doors opening to a new garden area. The new dwelling would provide 2475 sq ft (230 sq m) of gross internal area. The approved plans along with some concept images are shown here with further information on our website.

You could of course have a totally different scheme in mind….

Please note

The driveway is private and owned by a neighbouring property. Beach Arbour has a right of way with shared maintenance obligations.

A public footpath runs outside the boundary to the northeast and connects Redhills Road to the shore path. The vendors will retain an adjoining small parcel of land at the top of the drive and may apply for planning permission to build a new dwelling.

Local Authority

Westmorland and Furness Council

Services

Mains electricity, gas, water and drainage. Gas fired central heating from a Potterton Precision boiler in the undercroft. There is currently no telephone line or internet provision to the property.

Directions

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Use Sat Nav LA5 0AX with reference to the directions below:
Approaching Arnside from Milnthorpe on the A6 and via the coastal village of Sandside on the B5282, drive along the length of the promenade and bear round to the left after passing The Albion. Proceed up Silverdale Road as it climbs and as it starts to level out turn right opposite the convenience store onto Red Hills Road. Proceed and as you start to go down the hill look out for the Coach House on the right, turn right immediately before this and then immediately left through the pair of impressive stone gate posts. There are three tree trunks straight ahead, bear right and Beach Arbour is first on the left, at the bottom of the drive. There is a pull in parking area immediately before the property.

Schools

Primary
There is a great choice of primary school locally, including ones in Arnside, Silverdale, Beetham, Milnthorpe, Arnside, Storth, Yealand Redmayne and Burton in Kendal.

Secondary
Dallam School, Milnthorpe
Queen Katherine School and Kirkbie Kendal, Kendal
Queen Elizabeth School and QEStudio, Kirkby Lonsdale
Royal Grammar Schools and Ripley St Thomas CoE Academy, all in Lancaster

Further Education
Lancaster University
University of Cumbria (Lancaster and Ambleside campuses)
Kendal College
Lancaster and Morecambe College

Included in the sale

Fitted carpets, curtains and light fittings as seen.

Council Tax Band 

D

Tenure

Freehold