A DERELICT care home could be given a new lease of life, as plans to convert the building into a hotel have been submitted.

The proposal has been submitted to Copeland Borough Council, with hopes of transforming the former Dentholme Residential Home, at Cleator Moor, into a hotel or guest house.

The site on Cragg Road closed about two years ago, with residents relocated to Copeland Care Home – a new facility which replaced Brackenthwaite, Castle Mount and Pow Beck care homes in 2019.

Dentholme was then put up for auction by Cumbria County Council, and sold for £229,000 in June of last year.

If the suggested plans are approved by the borough council's planning committee, the 4,530 sq metre site will be renovated to create a 37-suite hotel.

And while it may come as a surprise to many, Nick Ford, vice-chairman of Cleator Moor Town Council, is hopeful the plans will help improve the town's tourism, and therefore give local traders a boost.

"I have always advocated that if you want to crease tourism and visitors to the area, you have got to have a hotel or a place for people to stay," he said.

"You can't expect people to come if there is nowhere for them to sleep. It's just like public toilets or other necessary amenities – people need a place to go."

He continued: "I personally think it would be a good use of the building, and a way to see increased numbers coming to the town, and actually help with the campaign to get people shopping on the high street.

"Obviously if it's going to be 28-plus stories high then that wouldn't be a good idea, but if it has a restaurant and enough rooms for people to stay in, and therefore increase footfall for the town, it should help with the town's success."

Along with the multiple suites, the development would also include a restaurant, two lounge areas, and a staff room, with relevant landscaping carried out.

A total of 40 car parking spaces will also be created if the plans are approved.

The plans were officially processed by the borough council on November 3, and residents have until November 24 to share their thoughts on the proposed development.

For more details, or to comment on the application, visit www.copeland.gov.uk/planning/application/42024440f1.