PLANS to bring a new lease of life to a town centre shop have been given the green light.

Applicant Heron Foods had submitted an application to Allerdale Borough Council to make a number of changes to its store on Senhouse Street in Maryport.

The store is part of a conservation area, but alterations have been made in the past.

The changes include the installation of a new shopfront, including new non-illuminated signage zone and double entrance doors

New signage to go on the fascia of the new shopfront will also be improved, while two new bay windows will replace the existing first floor windows.

A design and access statement produced by the applicant stated that the design was based on the criteria set out in the Allerdale Local Plan shopfront design guide, and therefore its impact on the surrounding town would be a “significant improvement.”

The statement continued: “The new shopfront, proposed to the existing Heron Foods store in Maryport, including new signage and new bay windows to the first floor will significantly improve this unit, and with it Senhouse Street as a whole.

“Given the sensitive nature of the conservation area, the proposal has been carefully designed to bring it more in line with the local plan’s design criteria for new shopfronts, and will help the store to fit in more seamlessly and sympathetically with the neighbouring properties in the area.”

An officer’s report produced by Allerdale Council revealed that there were no objections from the council’s highways or flood authorities.

The report read: “The property has had some alterations over time and has lost some of its traditional character. The proposals have been designed to be similar in scale to the historical shopfronts that appear on buildings throughout the surrounding area, and as outlined in the Allerdale Local Plan Shopfront Design Guide.

“The finish, colour, and materials to be used are all considered acceptable and appropriate within the Conservation Area.”

The application was approved without amendments. However, the officer’s report noted that because the application included signage, a separate advertisement consent would be required for the development to be completed.