Plans have been submitted to convert a vacant Carlisle city centre unit into a takeaway.

The change of use proposal, submitted by Black Box Architects on behalf of K L Limited, aims to employ two full-time and two part-time staff at 4 on The Crescent. 

The design and access statement states there are no plans to alter access points as the work will primarily involve fitting out the interior using the existing layout.

The Grade II site was last used as office space but has been vacant since 2021. 

The planning application indicates the takeaway will operate until midnight seven days a week. 

Previous plans to convert the upstairs into office space were approved earlier this year.

"This is aimed to potentially transition to living accommodation should the nutrient neutrality rulings relax or adapt, and if office use declines in the City, keeping the flexibility of the building," the design and access statement reads. 

"There is no impact to this part of the conservation area by way of character or historical degradation other than the introduction of external signage.

"A ventilation extract duct will however be fitted to the rear extension from the internal cooking canopy and a report on the installation and compliance procedure will be submitted by the installers to ensure filters and extract termination points are in accordance with the environmental health procedures, particularly for the office floor above.

"There is no loss of building fabric but a gain of building use from its current vacant and negative condition to that of a contributory factor of the city’s commercial centre, similar to the nearby food outlets," it states. 

The application follows on the back of previous plans to turn the Crescent unit into a wine bar. 

However, these plans required resubmission after Cumberland Council disposed of the initial planning application.