A VILLAGE hall near Carlisle can be renovated and get a new extension after the plans were approved by planners at Cumberland Council.

Scaleby Parish Council had applied for planning permission for the development at the parish hall in Scaleby.

Planning approval was granted subject to conditions by the council's planning department on Wednesday (July 24).

The project will involve the demolition of existing extensions with a replacement built to the side and rear of the building.

The development will provide a new entrance with an access ramp, a revised kitchen, a storeroom, toilets and plant room.

According to the application form the site covers an area of 204 square metres and a planning document states: "The existing building is to be refurbished and reconstructed to accommodate the use of the space within the hall better and facilitate wider community use.

"The site sits within Scaleby with a large car park to the west of the property which houses the recycling facilities.

"A Grade II Listed war memorial is present to the front elevation of the property."

According to the report the war memorial dates from 1920 and was built "in memory of those fallen in [the First World War]".

The memorial is the only listed structure overlooked by the site. The report states: "The war memorial is of significant historical interest and it is witness to the tragic impact of world events on the local community, and the sacrifice it made in the conflicts of the Great War.

"As a listed structure, the Grade II Listed war memorial is of national importance. It is of both architectural and historic significance, particularly given the associated archival evidence held in the parish records.

"In considering the development of the site, we consider that the principal impact on the war memorial is during the construction phase which would impact the setting of the war memorial.

"The overall proposed scheme shall have minimal impact on the setting of the war memorial and will allow enhancements to be made to its setting with the relocation of the entrance to the hall such as landscaping and planting around the front of the property."

It adds: "The property is a large church hall constructed in 1895 on the site and comprises of a large hall with vestibule, rear and side extensions.

"The side and rear extensions appear as a later addition to accommodate toilets and a kitchen to the property.

"The hall has been in continuous use by the local community and a number of successful events are held in the hall alongside the hall being hired out."

According to the report a structural survey has been carried out on the property which identified a number of ongoing issues including: dampness, lack of insulation and issues with the electrical system within the building.

It adds: "A new entrance to the building shall ensure compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act and provide modern facilities for toilets, baby change, kitchen space and suitable storage."

The report states that vehicle access and car parking shall be the same as the current arrangement and it adds: "There is sufficient area for parking around the site and designated areas shall be adopted for use by the site.

"Temporary arrangements may be required during the works for recycling facilities and discussions shall be held with Cumbria Waste following the planning application period."