THE future of a Grade II listed building in South Lakeland, which was the birthplace of a famed historic writer, is to be decided at a public consultation.

Ideas are being sought by Ulverston Town Council to see what should be made of Sir John Barrow's eponymous cottage at Dragley Beck.

It is estimated that £20,000 to £30,000 is needed to restore the 500-year-old cottage which is currently closed after Heritage group Ulverston First ended its lease of the property, which is owned by the town council.

Early ideas that have been put forward include turning the cottage into a heritage centre, an exhibition space, or even a tap room.

Much of the consultation will focus on whether public money is spent on the building or if interested parties can find a use while providing their own funds.

Cllr Mark Wilson, Mayor of Ulverston, said: "We have got some people coming forward with different ideas, but the full nine yards needs to be looked at. We have got to have responsible use of what is a public asset, but we are looking for all sorts of ideas.

"It used to be a sweet shop for many years and it was a pie shop before that, and it's got the fact that Sir John Barrow was born there.

"So it has that heritage and there are parts of the house that go back to the middle ages which are key to the living heritage of the town, so the more ideas the better."

Sir John Barrow, who went on to become a naval administrator and traveller and later the Second Secretary to the Admiralty, was born at Dragley Beck in 1764 and the cottage was his childhood home. Ulverston is also home to Sir John Barrow Monument on Hoad Hill and the former statesman also lends his name to the school at Argyle Street.