Local controversy in Cumbrian town (6)
I believe the answer is:
barrow
'cumbrian town' is the definition.
(Barrow-on-Furness is a town in Cumbria)
'local controversy' is the wordplay.
'local' becomes 'bar' (local can mean someone's local pub).
'controversy' becomes 'row' (both can mean a dispute).
'bar'+'row'='BARROW'
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for barrow that I've seen before include "Cart; tumulus" , "One-wheeled handcart" , "such as street-trader might have?" , "Small cart for a prehistoric burial mound" , "Cumbrian town" .)