PLANS to turn an iconic Cockermouth property into seven residential flats have been agreed.

A change of use application was submitted to transform the upper floors of the former HSBC building on Main Street from financial and professional into seven residential flats.

It was approved last week.

Robert Bateson, of Cambridgeshire, applied for permission to change the use of the building, create four residential units on the upper level and build an extension over the car park to create three more residential units.

Cockermouth town council called for the application to be refused.

Councillors had no issues with the change of use but were opposed to the design of the extension in the conservation area.

They were also concerned about the lack of parking.

When discussing the application, Councillor Alan Kennon said: “This is meant to be a heritage town, all the other roofs are slate peaked.

“I think this would look absolutely ridiculous and spoil the other skylines in the area.”

The design and access statement says: “The external appearance of the existing building will remain largely unaltered.

“The principle elevation onto Main Street will remain as existing and will be subject to a maintenance and repair scheme.

“There are some new openings proposed in the river (east) elevation and the west elevation which are required to provide natural light and ventilation to certain parts of the conversion scheme.

“The contemporary approach results in an extension which is subservient to the host building and which provides a contrast to the robust massing of the existing building.

“The roof of the new build extension is proposed as a flat roof system with over-sailing eaves detail.

“It is considered that the minor changes proposed to the existing building are appropriate to the status of the building and the Conservation Area location.

“It is considered that the contemporary design approach for the extension is also appropriate and is reflective of other examples in the locality.”