MODIFICATIONS to an historic Carlisle property can go ahead after Cumberland Council's planning department approved the plans.

The application was for a site in The Crescent and, according to Friday's (July 5) decision document, the development will involve replacing the existing shop front.

In addition, the planning approval means that the upper floors can be sub-divided to create offices.

According to a planning document the development would create three offices and a number of windows would be replaced.

A design and access statement reads: "The Crescent is a dominant feature in Carlisle, and apart from the upper floor elevations remaining relatively intact, the ground floors and shop fronts have undergone numerous changes over the decades.

“Internally, very little remains of the original rooms in No 4, apart from a large first floor room overlooking the Crescent itself.

"The building is currently vacant, having failed to secure reasonable office or residential space due to the lack of adequate facilities and the distribution of spaces, limiting multiple occupancy.

"Floor area is such that only a larger office (or residence) is possible, so the application seeks to divide the floors into smaller easily lettable spaces instead.

"The work is relatively minor but must be assessed against adjacent buildings and the impact upon the conservation area in a wider sense."

(Image: Newsquest)

According to the listing of The Crescent the terrace consists of nine houses, now eight shops with offices above, and dates from the early 19th Century of two periods, with later alterations with all 20th Century shop fronts.

It adds: "It was built in two phases; six houses and three houses, divided by quoins. Three storeys, two bays each, except those over through archways which are of three bays, all forming one continuous crescent."

The decision notice concludes: "In overall terms, the proposal is complaint with the objectives of the relevant development plan policies.

"The proposal would not have an adverse impact upon the City Centre Conservation Area or the surrounding Grade II Listed Buildings, any harm would be mitigated through the benefits gained from re-purposing an existing vacant retail space in a primary shopping area."