A PLEA to 'keep our pub' has been made by residents on Ulverston's Croftlands estate unhappy about plans to demolish The Lancastrian.

David Wood, of West Lakes Construction Ltd, wants to knock down the partly-demolished former pub and replace it with eight houses. The plans have sparked a heated response among neighbours, with more than 40 contacting South Lakeland District Council to express strong views for and against.

"Living next to this building is akin to living in an inner city slum," wrote one Bigland Drive resident who welcomed the plans. A neighbour on Soutergate said the new homes would be 'preferable' to a 'derelict property'; and another supporter described The Lancastrian as 'an eyesore'.

Also among supporters was a Sands Road resident who said the community had not supported the pub in recent years, resulting in it becoming 'rundown and unprofitable', whereas the homes proposed would attract 'new, young families' to Croftlands.

However, Ulverston Town Council called for the plans to be refused because of 'overdevelopment in and around this area'.

In their response, councillors said land beside the former pub was already allocated for housing, and they would prefer the developer to propose a community building to benefit residents.

Councillors said they were 'disappointed' to see The Lancastrian had been part-demolished and called for it to be 'made secure' until a final decision.

'Keep the pub' was the plea from some neighbours, with a Birchwood Drive resident telling the council: "More houses? You are joking! Last thing we need! We need a decent pub, please."

Several locals called for the pub to be refurbished and revived as a 'community hub', saying it was the only place nearby where residents could socialise and gather for occasions such as funeral teas, christenings and parties.

A Campfield Road dweller said: "This isn't about nostalgia but about the community, and without The Lancastrian hotel we have no place to all come together in such a way."

Meanwhile, a Hampsfell Road resident wrote: "We don't need more houses. I would have thought it would be a little goldmine if it was kept as pub, especially with all the new houses that are going to be built around the area already." A Weston Avenue neighbour suggested turning the former pub into a coffee shop, bar and fast food/burger/pizza takeaway.

In planning documents from applicant Mr Wood and Chris Bugler Architects, the pub is described as 'no longer viable as a business'. Being located in a residential area, extra houses would be 'welcome' and 'in line with national policy', it was stated.

Plans for four three-bedroom and four four-bedroom houses - rendered with slate-effect roofs and uPVC windows and doors - plus 16 parking spaces, are before SLDC.