A HOTEL which has stood empty since 2018 is about to see a new lease of life as plans are approved.

Plans were submitted to Allerdale Council for the former Grapes Hotel in Aspatria earlier this year, the intention being to turn it into six dwellings.

The West Street building went to auction as a closed business in 2017 but never sold, although it did change hands sell post-auction.

The buyer tried to run it as a hotel between July 2017 and February 2018 but was unsuccessful and it was put back on the market as a former public house.

The proposal submitted to Allerdale in January included the change of use from the former pub to six apartments.

In the design proposal submitted to Allerdale, agent Day Cummins Limited stated the proposals seeks to retain the general appearance, retaining existing windows and access points.

The scale of the building will be unchanged.

The design proposal went on to say: “The Grapes Hotel is prominently situated in the centre of the town and makes a positive contribution to the appearance of the street. The nature and location of the building make its conversion into six dwellings appropriate, both in terms of current planning policy and impact on neighbours, and this can be achieved without adversely affecting its appearance. Parking for cars is provided at the front. There are good-sized private amenity spaces for the dwellings to the rear of the premises.”

Fire protection inspector Juliet Grieves said the Fire Authority has no objections.”

Aspatria Town Council clerk Helen Ostle said: “Aspatria Town Council met and have no objection to the proposal as long as the traffic statements are fully adhered to, entering and vacating the area via the dropped pavements outside Unit One only and the introduction of barriers to prevent egress outside units three.”

Allerdale Council has now approved the plans on condition the development must be started within three years, will be carried out in accordance with the location plan, the bin shelters as shown on the approved plans shall be fully implemented, and the access, parking and turning as shown on the approved drawing, including the erection of bollards, shall be fully implemented.