AN historic pub on an island off the coast of Barrow is set for the first structural improvements since its reopening earlier this year.

The Ship Inn, on the 50-acre Piel Island, has been granted permission to build new bothies and toilet facilities for customers of the iconic hostelry.

The new additions will serve the same purpose as existing structures, but the design and access statement submitted as part of the application from Barrow Borough Council says the position of the facilities is currently 'particularly unsympathetic' to the Grade II-listed Ship Inn.

The statement says the toilet block and bothies – basic shelters for sleeping – are angled in such a way that they 'stand out at odds with the historic background'.

"Functionally, the toilet facilities are currently not fit for purpose, and both the existing buildings [the toilet facility and the bothies] are damaging to the appreciation of the heritage of Piel Island.

"Their construction is of poor quality, with little thought to the details of the execution and generally low quality of finish."

The buildings would be removed and replaced with a new building that connects to an existing stone barn on Piel and is located within the grounds of the Ship Inn.

Within each bothy, there would be two sleeping spaces – one at ground floor level and another at mezzanine level.

The Decision Notice approving Listed Building Consent says the proposals "are in the interests of the appearance of the development and the character and appearance of heritage assets."