A former Workington town centre office block is set to be converted into housing after plans gained council approval.

In late March, in a vision outlined to Allerdale Borough Council, Aveeva Investments Ltd submitted plans to convert existing office space at 19-19A Oxford Street, Workington, into housing.

In total, the redevelopment will consist of transforming the block into six self-contained flats and a four-bedroom shared house with communal areas.

In planning documents submitted to support the application, Aveeva Investments confirms that the overall footprint of the building will remain the same, with the building using all existing features to complement the fresh plans.

They stated: “The Gross internal floor area [...] will remain the same footprint as all works involve conversion works rather than any extensions or demolition. There is currently no onsite parking due to narrow access and change in ground levels at the rear of the property."

They added: “[The] new layout to be utilising existing spaces and layout as much as possible.”

In plans, the applicant also stated that “no proposed landscaping other than tidying up the rear of the property” is expected to take place.

“Appearance and materials will generally remain as per the existing other than altering some windows to the front ground-floor elevation as shown on proposed plans and elevations.

“New windows to be white UPVC to match what is currently there on site,” they confirmed.

Any concerns with regards to the building being in a conservation area for local wildlife have also been allayed.

Conservationist Gavin Taylor stated: “Although this is a blue butterfly area, there is no vegetation to suggest that any blue butterflies are present on site.

“The works are majority internal other than proposing to replace a couple of windows to the front of the property on the pavement side.”

The council have approved of the redevelopment of the building, stating: "As authorised by the above legislation Allerdale Borough Council grant planning permission for this application subject to compliance with the following conditions."

View the plans online at allerdale.gov.uk.

When prompted, use the reference FUL/2021/0100.