Plans to transform an old school boarding house into a children's nursery have been submitted.

Kayleigh Robertson, of St Bees Little Learners Nursery Ltd, wants to move her business into St Bees School's Grindal House on Main Street, which has stood empty since 2015.

An application has been lodged with Copeland Council for change of use of the building, from secondary school accommodation to a children’s day nursery, along with listed building consent for the works.

Ms Robertson, who runs the popular nursery for 0-4-year-olds from a rented property on Abbey Road, is in the process of buying the Grade II listed building from the St Bees School Trust.

Grindal House has not been used since the closure of St Bees School in 2015. When the school re-opened in 2017, the building was put up for sale and has been on the market since then.

The plans say: "This has been the first offer made for the property and is subject to planning permission to complete.

"The proposed change of use is the only economic alternative use for the building, and as a nursery is actually very closely aligned to the previous secondary school use.

"The nursery has been a successful, well supported business located in the village for several years, but in a rented building.

"This move will allow them to purchase the proposed site and have a permanent location if the application is approved."

Proposed alterations to the inside of the property would be "very minimal", with the main changes externally associated to the walls and grounds, the plans say.

The nursery would be open Monday to Friday, from 7.30 am until 6.30pm. 12 parking spaces would be provided to the rear of the building and a drop-off area for the parents using the nursery.

The plans go on to say: "The building has been for sale for a number of years without any interest and the current owner has no future use or plans for it.

"The proposed development provides the opportunity for the building to be brought back into a viable use.

"The applicant is progressing this application and purchase to ensure that their successful business is able to remain in the village community in the future."

St Bees Little Learners Nursery was founded in 2016 by Kayleigh Robertson who was looking for good quality childcare for her own children.

Together with her mum, Deanna Magill, they researched the area for suitable premises and a need for childcare. St Bees was the preferred choice and they secured a lease on Abotts Court.

From starting out with only 10 children to now having nearly 100 children and 15 staff, the nursery has been a huge success.

Kayleigh said: "We are now looking to secure the future of the nursery by purchasing a suitable property in St Bees.

"We have had an offer accepted on Grindal House and have submitted a planning application which will include a new drive exit onto the road being put in which will allow a one-way system around the building.

We hope our local community will support the application for change of use. Grindal House and gardens are ideal for a children's nursery, which will include outdoor learning, forest school and teaching children about sustainability.

"We aim to significantly reduce our carbon footprint with eco heating, forest development and becoming self sufficient by growing our own fruit and vegetables."

A spokesman for St Bees School said: “We are delighted that Grindal will be turned into a nursery, utilising this beautiful building as a resource for those within the village and wider community.

"In providing an inspiring environment for young minds, we feel this perfectly continues Grindal’s own legacy to educate those within Copeland and we look forward to the developments.”

A row of the school's former boarding houses on Lonsdale Terrace were also recently sold off and are set to be refurbished to make them suitable as family homes.