Barrow Borough Council has received more than £1.3 million through sales of buildings and land in the last five years, according to figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

The council revealed it made £1,322,225 between the start of 2015 and the end of 2019 by seling off publicly owned land and buildings.

It says the money is used to create revenue for the council, as well as provide new housing stock for the people of Barrow. The sale of property is only considered if it no longer has a function, it insisted, and all sales are subject to an officer rationale report.

Councillor Ann Thomson, leader of Barrow Borough Council, said: “The council carries out frequent reviews of its land and property assets and if it is determined a particular site no longer has a function, we may look to dispose of it.

“With council-owned land which is allocated for housing in the local plan, we may actively market it.

“This has dual benefits; the addition of new housing stock in the borough and also revenue for the council.

“For the sale or disposal of any asset, there is a process to be followed which involves the creation of a report on the rationale for the proposal.

“This is considered by the council’s executive committee who will make a decision based on the best interests of the borough.

"There will generally be a financial benefit to the council as a result of land and property sales, and any revenue generated is put to the best possible use at a time when every penny counts.”

The amount of revenue generated comes from ten pieces of land, as well as five buildings, which were sold off.

In 2015, one piece of land sold for £102,222, and a building sold for £97,000. One piece of land was sold for £45,000 in 2016 and a building was sold for £108,000 in 2017. The year with the largest number of sales was 2018, as eight pieces of land sold for £350,001, plus two buildings. In 2019, one piece of land was sold for £550,000 and a building for £70,000.