PLANS have been lodged to convert a prominent building in St Bees into an apart-hotel.
Copeland Borough Council has received a change of use application for Grindal House in St Bees.
The proposal, submitted by Harrison Fell Limited, is to convert the building from a boarding house to a hotel with self-contained accommodation.
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Grindal House previously served as a boarding house for St Bees School but has stood empty since the closure of the school in 2015.
The Grade II Listed building is located on Main Street opposite St Bees Train Station.
In supporting statements submitted to Copeland Council for approval, the agent said: “The building has been vacant since 2015 and has suffered from some deterioration due to vandalism, leaking roofs and vegetation growth.
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“There are structural concerns on the front wall at the junction with the lower south eastern wing. It appears that roof issues have caused water ingress which has developed into a dry rot issue internally.”
They call the plans a “sympathetic new use” for the building which has fallen into disrepair.
The proposal will involve internal alterations to the building’s layout, repair works to its external fabric as well as creation of a one-way access and exit system. This will include the creation of parking provision.
Copeland Council has been told that creation of the apart-hotel at Grindal House will create the equivalent of six full-time jobs, covering kitchen duties and housekeeping.
The agent has said the proposal “secures a viable future for the building with a new owner that will maintain and invest in the property to bring it to a high standard as a heritage asset.
“In terms of public benefit, many residents in the village are aware of the proposed development and have indicated their support to the applicant.”
The public can view and comment on planning applications submitted to Copeland Borough Council at: https://www.copeland.gov.uk/planning
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