Controversial plans to turn a redundant Workington church into flats for vulnerable people have been given the go-ahead.

Developer NIS Developments Ltd applied to Allerdale council for permission to create 22 supported-living flats at the site of the old Trinity Methodist Church, on South William Street – retaining the facade of the building.

Officers had recommended the plans be approved and members of the council's development panel voted unanimously to give them the green light with a condition that the building should be recorded before any demolition work.

Residents who would be affected by the demolition and construction work will also be consulted to minimise disruption.

Neighbours, including nearby St Patrick's Primary School, had raised concerns about the plans because the school's governors feared the housing could be used for people with addiction problems.

Objectors said there were already a significant number of vulnerable residents close by, leading to used syringes, empty beer cans and broken bottles being regularly found close to the church building.

Meanwhile, neighbours on Wybrow Terrace were concerned that the demolition work could pose a risk to their homes, which are in close proximity to the redundant building, and block access.

Councillor Neil Schofield also spoke to the panel on behalf of the town council and said the proposals would be overdevelopment of that part of the town.

Agent Peter Winter sought to reassure the panel over parking concerns which were raised by councillors and also by objectors during the consultation.

He said: "We're providing more spaces than are currently there.

"Highways are happy with the number.

"It's not the intention that the building will be used by people who will all have cars."

The boarded-up church building dates from the 1890s. The building was sold last year to Woodrow Construction, after being on the market for many years.

A spokesman for NIS Developments Ltd said the company was in talks with HB Villages to take on the development as supported housing for elderly people, but the final decision on who would live in there would be down to the organisation that took it on.

He said: “This is a significant building in the middle of Workington. It’s a landmark. We are responding to the needs of the town for housing provision and maintaining that fantastic building facade.”