PART of the ground floor of a Grade II Listed building in Dalston can be converted into an office after the plans were approved by planners at Cumberland Council.

The planning application is for a site in Green Lane in Buckabank and the property was first listed on April 1, 1957.

The decision to grant planning permission, which is subject to conditions, was taken on Thursday (November 7).

According to a decision report the applicant has advised that the proposed office would supporting an existing agricultural contractor’s business that operates from the yard to the north of the host property.

It adds: “The office will provide accommodation to meet with customers and undertake paperwork. The office will be used five days per week with one visitor per day on average.

“Officers consider that the proposed office is required to support the ongoing operations of the agricultural contracting business and therefore, the principle of development is established under Policy EC11.”

In addition, given the limited scale of the business operations, Officers consider that the requirements of the policy have been “adequately met”.

The report concludes that, in overall terms, it is considered that the proposed office use is compatible with the existing rural setting with adequate access and car parking arrangements.

It adds: “The development would not adversely impact the living conditions of the occupiers of any nearby properties and the proposal does not raise any issues in terms of the impact on the significance and setting of the listed building.

“In all aspects the proposal is considered to be compliant with the objectives of the relevant local plan policies.”

According to the listing text the house was built in 1729 with an extension from the 1850s added later.

The report states: “The proposal seeks to alter part of the ground floor of building from part of a residential dwelling into an office.

“Two parking spaces will be provided to the rear of the property, accessed via the existing access.”

According to the report it has been assessed that the change of use will not adversely affect the heritage significance of the building and no internal or external alterations are proposed, other than redecoration.

It adds: “The proposed change of use from a residential dwelling to an office will provide a useful office space whilst not affecting the building.”